Creating Phone-Free Schools in NYC: How To Prepare for the 2025–2026 School Year
New York City must comply with a statewide bell-to-bell cellphone ban starting Fall 2025.
At Yondr, we believe that schools should be spaces where students are fully present—engaged in learning, connected to one another, and free from the constant distractions of personal devices. That’s why Yondr’s Phone-Free Schools Program provides everything New York City campuses need to meet the new state mandate for distraction-free learning environments: secure equipment, full programmatic infrastructure, training for staff, and ongoing support from our dedicated team.
What New York Schools Must Do by Fall 2025
All public schools—including charters and BOCES—must enforce a Distraction-Free Schools policy starting Fall 2025. Requirements include:
Core Requirements:
Ban Internet-Enabled Devices Bell to Bell
Smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, and other personal internet-connected devices must be off and out of sight all day—including recess, lunch, and passing periods.Provide On-Site Storage
Devices must be stored in a way that prevents student access during the school day. Backpacks are not compliant. Approved options include lockers or secure locking systems like pouches.Ensure Communication Access
Districts must establish and publish a way for parents/guardians to contact students during the day.Develop a Clear Enforcement Plan
Must avoid suspensions and include:Demographic data reporting on violations
An equity analysis
A mitigation plan if disparities exist (Required beginning September 2026)
Communicate the Policy
Must be clearly posted online and available in the top 12 non-English languages spoken in the state upon request.
Additional Guidance:
District Autonomy: Schools define their own enforcement plans and storage methods
Instructional Device Use: Still allowed at teacher discretion
Exemptions Allowed For:
Students with IEPs/504 plans
Medical needs (e.g., diabetes monitoring)
Translation or caregiving duties
Emergency situations (Must be clearly outlined in policy)
Funding Update
As you look ahead to the 2025–2026 school year, we want to share some important funding updates for New York City Public Schools:
Yondr is an approved vendor with the NYC Department of Education (Vendor ID: YON9688763).
For schools purchasing through DOE-contracted resellers, Yondr is available through SHI.
Current Yondr partner schools may continue to purchase through their existing procurement channels. For any questions, please reach out directly to your Partner Success Manager.
Implementation Resources
Looking to craft a compliant phone-free policy that meets New York’s new law? These official resources can help!
State Implementation Resources: Detailed guidance from the Governor’s Office on requirements, reporting expectations, and enforcement.
NYC Public Schools: Detailed guidance from NYC Public Schools.
Policy FAQs: Answers to common questions about what qualifies as compliant storage, allowable exemptions, and more.
NYSUT Policy Toolkit: A robust set of tools and sample policies from the New York State United Teachers union, including implementation tips and educator-focused support.
Early Results from New York Schools
New York schools that have partnered with Yondr to go phone-free are witnessing transformative results that emerged almost immediately. Students have experienced significant improvements in mental health and classroom engagement, while teachers have reported stronger peer connections and increased time to dedicate to actual instruction.
KIPP NYC College Prep
After the Bronx-based high school restricted smartphone use, AP test scores rose, grades bounced back to pre-pandemic levels, and student attendance at extracurricular events increased by 50%.
“Some students even privately thanked me. It made it easier for them to focus.”
—Monica Samuels, Principal, KIPP NYC College Prep
Bloomberg News, July 2024
State-wide Student Benefits
Through the Yondr Program, students receive a meaningful 6–8 hour daily opportunity to step away from screen-based distractions to reconnect with their learning environment, improve their mental health, and boost their engagement.
86% of educators noted a positive impact on safety and wellness
84% saw increased student engagement
68% observed improvement in academic performance
Whether you’re a current partner or exploring Yondr for the first time, we’re here to help you navigate the transition to a phone-free culture. Our program is designed to support schools every step of the way—from rollout to long-term sustainability.
If you’d like to learn more about bringing Yondr to your school community, schedule a time to connect. We’d love to hear from you.
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COMMUNITY OF PHONE-FREE SCHOOLS?
To learn more about the Yondr Program, click below to request a free demo or consultation.
Yondr has offices in California, New York, Minnesota, London, and Sydney.