Yondr

YONDR

YONDR

FOR A PHONE-FREE SCHOOL


Brentwood Academy is committed to maintaining a device-free space to improve teaching and learning with the help of Yondr. Yondr pouches have been utilized in thousands of schools across 27 countries to facilitate an engaged learning environment. 

While phones have great utility, their use in a school setting has proven to hinder learning and negatively impact student mental health.

In an annual survey of over 1,200 schools that implemented Yondr:

  • 86% saw a positive impact on student safety and wellness

  • 84% saw a positive change in student engagement

  • 72% saw a positive change in student behavior

  • 68% saw a positive change in academic performance

Yondr utilizes a simple, secure pouch that stores a phone. Upon arrival at school, every student will secure their phone in a personally assigned Yondr pouch. Students will maintain possession of their phones and will not use them until their pouches are opened at the end of the school day. Students must be responsible for their pouch at all times.

 

STUDENT PHONE and device POLICY 

VIOLATIONS AND CONSEQUENCES          

 

 

 

YONDR FAQs

What if my STUDENT needs access to their phone for medical accommodations?

If your student needs access to their phone for medical accommodations, it is important to note that the current cell phone policy and guidelines have not changed. Therefore, students who currently require access to a cell phone or another personally owned device for medical reasons will continue to have such access with Yondr pouches specifically intended for medical use. 
What if I need to contact my STUDENT?
If you need to reach your student for any reason, please call the upper school or middle school offices. The new Yondr pouches do not change our policy or inhibit a parent from being able to contact a student during the school day. 
Can my STUDENT use their cell phone during after-school activities?
Yes. Yondr pouches will only be utilized during the school day and will then be unlocked.
Why WON’t BA enforce THE existing phone policy instead of storing student cell phones?

BA's phone policy has been and remains that phones must stay in backpacks during school hours. However, the easy access to phones for students makes this a temptation and distraction during class time. Consistently enforcing the rule and redirecting students during class takes energy, focus, and most importantly, time away from teaching. In a nationwide survey, 33% of middle school teachers and 72% of high school teachers say that students being distracted by cell phones is a "major problem" in their classroom, while 30% acknowledge that school phone policies are somewhat to very difficult to enforce while teaching. We want all of our classrooms to not only be conducive to learning, but also to set our students up for achieving academic success. Students face enough challenges when learning new material regardless of the course level. We believe that eliminating the distractions of cell phones is a vital part of creating a healthier learning environment and a richer school community. 
What if there is an emergency at school?

Students and staff members regularly practice safety drills for various emergency scenarios and are also directed to follow our standing emergency response plans. BA faculty, staff, and security personnel will continue to have their phones available during the school day and are always alerted and notified when needed to respond to an emergency.

How will students be able to contact their families in the event of a lockdown situation?
Law enforcement officials repeatedly report that cell phones in school emergencies can not only create a distraction for students but can actually compromise their safety for a number of reasons - from unintentionally alerting intruders of students' locations, to overwhelming emergency response phonelines, to providing misinformation to emergency responders in active situations that have the potential to change quickly. School officials will be in contact with both emergency responders during emergency situations and parents when able to do so. Please take a moment to check Veracross to ensure that BA has the most accurate and up-to-date information on how to contact you in the event of an emergency. Your student's safety is always our utmost priority.

In the event that students need to have their phones unlocked in an emergency, are teachers authorized to do so?
In the event of an emergency requiring the release of students' phones, school administrators will assist in unlocking phones for students. Teachers will not have individual unlocking mechanisms for Yondr pouches, but will be provided the tools required to unlock phones for students in the event of an emergency where that action is required.
When will yondr pouches be distributed?

All students will receive their Yondr pouch on the first day of school. 
Will my student's phone be safe?

Yes, because phones never leave the possession of the student to whom they belong unless confiscated for policy violations. 
What happens if a student Misplaces their pouch?
If a student misplaces their pouch, they will need to leave their phone at the middle school office or the upper school office for the school day. If a replacement pouch is needed, it may be purchased from the campus store. 
What if the pouch is damaged or lost?
If a student damages their Yondr pouch, the pouch and its contents will be collected and sent to the front office for the remainder of the school day. If a student loses their pouch (frequently forgetting is also qualified as losing), they will be required to buy a replacement Yondr pouch from the campus store. 
What happens if a student unlocks their pouch DURING SCHOOL, purposefully damages it, or uses an alternate phone?
Please see the 2025-2026 Student Parent Handbook for all questions regarding student discipline. 
Where will unlocking be located?

Unlocking stations will be distributed throughout the campus, allowing students to easily unlock their phones regardless of where they end the school day. 

UPPER SCHOOL UNLOCKING STATIONS

JUNIOR HALL UNLOCKING STATIONS

MIDDLE SCHOOL UNLOCKING STATIONS
What Happens if a student forgets to unlock their pouch before leaving school?
Feel free to return to campus and unlock your phone! If you do not wish to return to campus, students will have to wait until the following school day to access their phone.