In the elementary school, students are issued an iPad that they use as part of their classroom instruction. This ipad stays on campus and does not go home with students.
Some key facts about the iPads:
All iPads are enclosed in a protective case.
They are managed and monitored by the school IT department and teachers.
Network filtering ensures students have a safe internet experience.
It is important to note that, per the device policy, any damage to school-issed student devices is the financial responsibility of that student.
In the middle school, students are issued a Chromebook that they use as an instructional resource. Devices are issued to the students at the beginning of the year. The current year models include a touch screen and the ability to use a stylus (not included)
Some key facts about the Chromebooks:
Chromebooks do not come with a case (however, it is strongly recommended the students purchase one).
Chromebooks have an accidental drop protection program that is included with the device and lasts the life of the device while at the school.
They are managed and monitored by the school IT department and teachers.
Network filtering ensures students have a safe internet experience.
It is important to note that, per the device policy, any damage to school-issed student devices that is not covered by the accidental drop protection program is the financial responsibility of that student.
ADP (Accidental Drop Protection) is a program that protects your device from certain types of damage. This program provides ONE free repair / replacement of a damaged device and extends the factory warranty to 3 years. The added benefit of this program is that the school will provide a loaner device while the student's device is being repaired, ensuring that their learning is uninterrupted. This program is provided by Lenovo as a part of the device cost so there is no extra charge for parents and students to have this benefit.
Why Managed Chromebooks Are Important in Schools
Managed Chromebooks help schools keep student devices safe, organized, and ready for learning. When a Chromebook is “managed,” it means the school can control what students can access, make sure learning apps are installed, and keep the device secure. This helps teachers focus on teaching without tech problems getting in the way, and it helps students stay on track with their schoolwork.
Key Benefits of Managed Chromebooks for Students and Parents:
✅ Safer Online Experience – Blocks harmful or inappropriate websites automatically.
✅ Ready-to-Use Learning Tools – School apps and resources are installed and updated by staff.
✅ Less Distraction – Limits access to games and non-educational content during school hours.
✅ Quick Fixes – Tech staff can solve problems remotely without needing to take the device away.
✅ Protects Student Privacy – Keeps student accounts and data secure through school controls.
✅ Supports Learning Anywhere – Students can log in from home or school and still access their work.
By managing Chromebooks, St. Mary's Academy creates a safer, simpler, and more focused learning environment for every student.
The devices have been tested in a variety of environments to ensure that they meet our school requirements and will last for the duration of the time that we have allotted for the students. Below are the replacement guidelines for middle and high school students:
Middle School Students: Devices will be issued and will be used for all 3 years of their middle school career. Students will be issued a new device upon entry into the high school.
High School Students: Devices will be issued and used for 2 years and then replaced. For example, a Freshman student will be issued a device and then will be issued a replacement device their Junior year.
Special Exceptions:
In the first year of this program (the 2025-26 school year) every student in the middle and high school will be issued a device. This means that some intermediate grade levels will have a slightly different device cycle (all grades are based on the student's rising grade, so a current 6th grader is a rising 7th grader):
7th Grade: Students will keep the device for 2 years and will be issued a new device their freshman year.
8th Grade: Students will keep the device for 3 years and will be issued a new device their junior year.
10th Grade: Students will keep the device for 3 years and will own the device on graduation.
11th Grade: Students will keep the device for 2 years and will own the device on graduation.
12th Grade: Students will be issued a device for their senior year and will return the device at the end of the school year.
There are a number of reasons that school issued devices are the best route for our school, but below are some of the primary reasons:
It ensures student protection from unauthorized or explicit content by allowing our network to appropriately filter unsafe content
It allows greater insight into student activities on the device during class time, ensuring that students remain on task and actively engaged
It creates a consistent ecosystem which makes troubleshooting and replacement of devices easier and faster, ensuring students have an optimized learning experience
Students will be issued a Lenovo Chromebook that has been tested in the classroom to ensure it meets the requirements for our textbooks, online resources, and other educational tools that are used.
Once the device has reached its end of life at the school (see the above chart for replacement cycles of devices), it will be deprovisioned (meaning it is no longer controlled by the school) and given to the student. At that point it becomes the student's device and they can do with it what they like. These devices will no longer be allowed on the school campus at this point because they are no longer managed.
To ensure the highest levels of safety and academic rigor, this program is a requirement for all students at St. Mary's Academy. Non-School managed devices will not be allowed on campus and all students will be issued a device.