Our Middle School BYOD program launched at the beginning of the Fall 2014 school year. Each student in grades six through eight is required to bring their device to school every day. This increase in access to technology is the next natural step to technology integration in our Middle School. Please review the topics below for more details about the program.
Device Examples
Microsoft
Apple
Windows 10
Examples: Laptop PC, Windows Surface Tablets
Cost: $349+
OS X 10.11 or Later
Examples: Macbook, Macbook Air, Macbook Pro
Cost: $999+
Device Requirements
Windows or Mac OSX
10” Screen or Larger
8GB of Ram or Greater (12GB or greater Recommended)
256 GB Hard-drive (512GB or greater recommended)
Dual Core Processor or Greater
Chrome Browser Recommended
Wi-Fi Enabled Device
Battery Life Greater than 5 Hours
Physical Keyboard
Protective Case or Cover
Second Charger
Headphones
Microphone and Camera
3G/4G service must be turned off on campus
Anti-Virus Software or App
** iPads, Android tablets, and Chromebooks are allowed, but not as the student’s primary device.
Why One to One?
A one-to-one, in which each student has access to a personal device, increases access and makes technology integration and the corresponding teaching and learning processes more fluid and organic.
Why BYOD?
The BYOD model strongly aligns with the mission of the technology program at St. Mary’s. We believe in exposing our students to a diverse range of devices and operating systems to promote choice and foster creativity. Each device has its own set of strengths. It is critical for students to understand each device’s value and collaboratively choose a device for a given task.
Also, a BYOD model is more sustainable and makes financial sense for our families and our school. Rather than require families to purchase a specific device or charge a “technology fee” for a new device, BYOD allows our students to bring a device that they already own.
Finally, we believe that BYOD is the present and foreseeable future. With the increase in the range of devices, more resources are being made available through the web. Content creators and publishers understand this reality and create material that can be accessed on any web-enabled device, regardless of manufacturer or operating system. This gives our students the freedom to choose their platform and create a “Unified Learning Experience” between home and school.
Student Expectations
The following set of expectations are in place for our students to maximize the educational value of their devices:
Bring Device to School Fully Charged Each Day
Store Additional Charger in Locker or Backpack
Maintain Software Requirements Set by School Throughout School Year
Provide Responsible Maintenance and Security of Device In and Out of School
Maximize Educational Benefit of Device
Follow School Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) - The AUP will be explained in detail to students during the first week of school.
Accommodations for Students
The following resources exist for our students to support their success with the BYOD program.