NEW YORK SCHOOLS ARE PHONE-FREE

Yondr has been helping students thrive, distraction-free, for over a decade. More than one-third of New York public secondary schools have already unplugged and are reaping the benefits of phone-free learning with Yondr.

NEW YORK’S ONGOING BELL-TO-BELL LAW

New York is one of the largest states to mandate bell-to-bell cellphone restrictions in all public K–12 schools. The state has released rollout guidance—backed by funding and a fast-approaching deadline.

Get step-by-step instructions on how to access your district’s funding, what qualifies as compliant storage (including Yondr), and how existing partners can use the funds, too. All districts serving grades 7–12 are eligible.

PHONE-FREE FOCUS.
PROVEN RESULTS.

Millions of Students use Yondr Everyday.
We partner with thousands of schools across
48 countries.

Off-and-Away vs Bell-to-Bell

When phone policies rely on trust alone, enforcement breaks down. Schools that succeed create a clear, consistent system that works for everyone.

Off-and-Away on Your Own Fails

When students are just told to keep phones “off and away,” responsibility falls on individuals rather than a system—and the result is inconsistency and frustration.

  • Teachers become phone police: Educators are forced to monitor phones instead of focusing on instruction

  • Enforcement varies: Different teachers enforce the rule differently, creating confusion and loopholes

  • Students test boundaries: Without a visible system, students push limits and negotiate exceptions

  • Administrators absorb discipline escalations: What begins as a classroom distraction quickly turns into repeated referrals and administrative time

Bell-to-Bell with Yondr Succeeds

Successful phone-free schools remove ambiguity by implementing a simple, school-wide program supported by the entire community.

  • Tools: Yondr provides an array of tools that makes phone-free learning visible and consistent

  • Training and Support: Staff receive clear guidance on rollout, routines and ongoing best practices

  • Student education: Students learn the purpose and benefits of phone-free time

  • Family communication: Schools receive resources to explain the program and set expectations with families

  • Clear enforcement systems: A consistent structure eliminates guesswork and ensures fairness

OUR LEADING APPROACH

At Yondr, we believe the pouch is just one piece of the puzzle. The Yondr Phone-Free Schools Program is a bell-to-bell phone-free approach empowering educators to restore focus and foster meaningful connection among students wherever they learn and gather.

Based on 10+ years experience working with thousands of educators around the world, Yondr’s complete program delivers what works:

  • Clear, customized policy development to support consistent, school-wide implementation

  • Built-in training and onboarding for staff, students, and parents

  • Secure, durable pouches designed for daily use that let students keep phones—without the distractions

  • Fast, reliable unlocking infrastructure to support smooth operations

  • Ongoing strategic support to guarantee long-term success

Our unique, lockable pouch means students keep their phones, but cannot access them during the school day. Teachers no longer have to be the phone police, and pupils get a much needed 6-8 hour break from digital distractions.

  • “We’ll have no cellphones in a child's hand from the moment they enter school until they leave. I want the laughter, I want the teachers to do what they can do, I want the kids to be free.”

    Governor Hochul captured the urgency and emotion behind the state’s new policy
    via NY.gov

  • "There is more talking, it’s louder, but it’s a positive loud."

    Math Teacher, Yonkers High School
    via CBS News

  • “The district is proud to partner with Yondr, a recognized leader in creating phone-free spaces, and to set a precedent as the largest school district in New York State implementing this initiative.”

  • “By removing cellphone distractions during the school day, we are creating a healthier, safer, and more productive school environment.”

    Superintendent, Yonkers Public Schools
    via Yonkers Times

  • "We saw more positive interaction between kids. We got to see kids being kids again. Talking to each other, not everyone’s head down in the hallway looking at their phone. We got to see a lot of kids just being kids again, which was really nice."

    Principal, Elmira City School District
    via WENY

  • "What the pouch does is, it prevents the student, the school, from having to collect. The young person keeps the pouch on their person in their bookbag. It’s secured."

    Security Director, New York City Public Schools
    via Spectrum NY1

MEET YOUR NEW YORK TEAM

JOE DESANCTIS

Account Executive | Upstate New York

BROOKE FERA

Account Executive | New York City & Long Island

EDDIE WILK

Regional Manager | New York


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The products displayed on this website are covered by one or more U.S. patents, including U.S. patents Nos. 9,819,788 & 10,623,957.