This fall, Dana Hall implemented an updated cell phone policy that restricts phone usage throughout the entire academic day, changing previous rules that allowed use during free periods and passing times.
Unlike past rules that allowed phone use during free periods and transition times, the new policy enforces all-day boundaries. The academic day hours shift by day, running from 8:00 a.m. to 3:25 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays, 8:00 a.m. to 2:20 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays, and 8:55 a.m. to 3:25 p.m. on Thursdays. The policy introduces a multi-tiered disciplinary process: a first infraction leads to cell phones being taken and a warning, a second infraction adds notifying a students advisor and parents, and repeated offenses can trigger a meeting with the Accountability Committee (AC). If families need to reach a student, they can call the school’s main line as opposed to texting cell phones directly.
According to Director of the Upper School Alyse Ruiz-Selsky, the policy aligns with a broader state trend, as more schools and state legislatures across Massachusetts move toward phone-free school environments to address growing concerns over youth mental health and classroom focus. Ms. Ruiz-Selsky explained that the decision came from a collaborative process involving the Student Council feedback from a meeting held in the spring and faculty meetings.
While classrooms previously used phone hotels, or “photels,” to store phones during classes, feedback showed that students found themselves wanting to touch their phones more when storing them, and it triggered the muscle memory to check them more often. The new rule of keeping phones zipped away in bags, according to Ms. Ruiz-Selsky, aims to eliminate that muscle memory entirely and minimize visual cues to reduce these habitual distractions.
The transition has not been without friction, especially for seniors, as many of their traditions have previously had a phone-based element. While initial concerns arose regarding senior traditions such as Harbor Cruise and Black Day, dialogue between student leaders and administrators resulted in guidelines allowing photo-taking during specific events.
Even so, some senior students feel that the stricter rules are taking away part of the senior experience. An anonymous senior expressed concern regarding the swift progression of disciplinary actions in the policy, particularly for upperclassmen that were used to having autonomy during free periods.
“It’s just not fair,” the senior shared, explaining that students feel held to unnecessary limitations when they previously managed their phone usage in a responsible way during their free periods.
Beyond senior traditions, the student also reported feeling disconnected from home and friends. Since this senior is a boarder and has a close relationship with her family, she says that not being able to check a family group chat or quickly text parents during free periods puts a bigger strain on communication. The senior also stated that routing urgent messages through the main office reduces direct and immediate contact with her family during school hours.
At the same time, the senior states that she has seen some students adapt to the lack of phones by shifting habits to their iPads. She says that because iPads are used for coursework, some students have utilized messaging apps or device syncing during the day, highlighting the broader challenge of managing digital distractions in an educational setting. She also mentioned that while phones are tucked away, academic devices risk becoming a new way to become distracted, forcing faculty to rely more on student trust.
While this senior argues that hiding phones away makes students feel disconnected from their families, Zoey Miller ‘29 argues that since everyone already uses the iPads, staying in touch with families isn’t really a problem for her. She points out, “I feel like the iPad kind of just has everything I need [and] I can text my parents… I don’t think there’s ever been a time where I’ve been disconnected from my family just because I don’t have my phone out.”
Additionally, removing phones from the equation has actually made lunch and breaks much more engaging. Rather than everyone doomscrolling or staring down at separate screens, students are sitting together and having real conversations. Zoey noted the positive shift at lunch, sharing that “getting to all sit at a table and have, like, lively discussions without people looking at their phones being on their phones [is] very beneficial. It’s never really quiet at my lunch table because nobody’s staring at their phone.”
Another common complaint mentioned previously is that the policy does not actually stop distractions because students can just get off-task on their iPads. While iPads can still host distracting apps, removing a second screen sitting on a desk eliminates the urge to constantly switch back and forth while working. As Zoey explains, “having it not as easily accessible, you kind of just have to have your one screen open on your iPad, and I think that makes it a little more productive during study halls.” Having moments during the day where students aren’t staring at a phone, like walking through hallways between classes, gives the mind a chance to rest. Miller highlights this benefit, advising students to “take advantage of moments where you don’t need to be on a screen. I think it can be incredibly beneficial if you just have a moment of just silencing, even walking in the hallways and just having that time to yourself to just think.”
As the school year continues, opinions on the policy remain divided. While students work through the social adjustments of a phone-free day, teachers have reported encouraging signs of engagement, according to Ms. Ruiz-Selsky, noting that students are arriving to classes and rehearsals with phones not even being a problem teachers have to worry about. Medical accommodations will stay in place for students needing real-time health monitoring, and international students have designated ways for them to connect with their overseas families.
Whether the policy will stand long-term remains a question. While administrators hope the rules will eventually become second nature as new habits start to form, some students and parents continue to voice their concerns over communication barriers. For now, both administration and student leadership plan to look at the policy’s impact on campus culture, balancing the goals of improving academic engagement with the communication needs of the student body.
hanna eljeaan