Districtwide Student Cellphone Procedure, Effective May 4 

New High School “No Cell Bell to Bell” and K-8 “Off and Away for the Day” procedures establishes clear, grade span-appropriate expectations for students across all Seattle public schools 

SEATTLE — April 29, 2026 — Seattle Public Schools (SPS) today announced a new districtwide cellphone procedure that will take effect Monday, May 4. The new guidance will apply to all students across all schools, with expectations tailored by grade span to reflect the developmental needs of students at each level. 

For students in grades K–8, phones will be off and stored away for the entire school day. For high school students in grades 9–12, phones will not be accessible during instructional time, though students will have access during lunch and passing periods — an approach that supports student independence and digital citizenship while maintaining the core expectation that phones stay away during class. 

Many SPS schools have already done meaningful work to limit cellphone use, and that work has shown results. The new districtwide procedure builds on those efforts by establishing a single, clear standard across every school, leaving no room for interpretation and ensuring that every student, in every building, has the same expectation. 

“Cell phones have become one of the biggest barriers to focus and learning in our classrooms. It’s time for us to act decisively, in a commonsense manner. Students deserve the chance to think deeply, engage fully, and be present, and this change makes that possible for every learner in Seattle Public Schools,” said Superintendent Ben Shuldiner. 

Grade Span-Specific Rules 

• “Off and Away for the Day” Rule in Grades K–8: Phones are off and stored away for the full school day, with no access during instruction, passing periods, or lunch. 
• “No Cell Bell to Bell” Rule in Grades 9–12: Phones are off and away during all instructional time. Students may have limited access during lunch and passing periods, supporting responsible device use and digital citizenship while keeping phones out of the classroom. 
• Exceptions: Students who require access to personal devices for medical needs or as part of a documented IEP or Section 504 accommodation will continue to be supported. 

Voices from Our Schools and Communities 

School leaders, educators, students, and families across the district have seen firsthand the impact that phones have on the learning environment and the difference that clear expectations can make. 

“One of the hardest parts of enforcing a school-based procedure is when families don’t have the same experience at the school down the street. This districtwide standard changes that. It gives school leaders a clear, unified expectation to stand behind, and it tells students and families that this is about the whole community, not just one building.” — Adrian Manriquez, Principal, Washington Middle School 

“Since we instituted our school-wide away-for-the-day procedure, I no longer have to give my attention to potential distractions from students on their phones in class or in the hallways. The biggest change is that I’m no longer put in the difficult position of telling students to ignore calls and messages from their parents during class. That is a really hard place to be as an educator. Middle school is already full of distractions for adolescents, and removing cell phones has made my job immensely better. Having districtwide direction will help all schools align so that families across the district have similar experiences.” — Dennis DeBell, Teacher, Robert Eagle Staff Middle School 

“When phone rules change from classroom to classroom, kids get mixed signals and teachers are left holding the bag. One clear districtwide standard takes that pressure off everyone. Students can still use their phones outside of class, but during instruction the rule is the same no matter which school you go to. We’re glad the district is moving in this direction.” — Katherine Cheng, Parent 

“Before Covid, classrooms felt more collaborative and community oriented. As a senior, I’ve come to recognize how essential that environment is. Creating phone-free academic spaces would foster stronger collaboration and better prepare SPS students for future professional settings.” — Samrawit Newton, 12th-grade student, Garfield High School 

Grounded in Research and Community Input 

This procedure was developed after an extensive process that included a review of cellphone practices across all grade levels, an analysis of procedures from other Washington state and national districts, and direct observation at five SPS pilot schools. The district engaged students, families, educators, school leaders, and the Instructional Technology Advisory Committee (ITAC) throughout. 

The research is clear: when phones are away during instruction, schools see better focus, fewer disruptions, and clearer expectations for everyone. Studies show students can take up to 20 minutes to refocus after a phone-related distraction, and that the mere presence of a smartphone can lower nearby students’ test scores by approximately 6 percent; the Washington State Legislature has found that mobile devices negatively impact student outcomes. Schools that have adopted clear, consistent expectations have seen immediate culture shifts, including stronger peer relationships and fewer classroom disruptions. While the state continues to study the impact of mobile devices on student outcomes, SPS is acting on what the research already shows.  

What Families Need to Know 

This procedure is about supporting learning and well-being. The goal is to create learning environments where students can fully engage, academically and socially. Families who need to reach their child during the school day can always do so through the school office. District-issued devices will continue to be used for instruction as directed by teachers and are not affected by this procedure. 

More information will be available on the Seattle Public Schools website. 

Implementation 

Beginning Monday, May 4, SPS will implement the new procedure districtwide. SPS will update Superintendent Procedure 2022SP to reflect the new guidance. Schools will receive clear communications tools to set expectations for students and families. School leaders will have flexibility in how they manage device storage while upholding the districtwide standard. 

Media Contact  

Bev Redmond, Chief of Staff and Public Affairs  
Eric Guerci, Deputy Chief of Staff  
Seattle Public Schools  
SPSMedia@seattleschools.org