News Summary
The San Diego Unified School District will introduce new mobile phone regulations starting August 11, aimed at minimizing distractions during school hours. All students, from Transitional Kindergarten to 12th grade, must keep their phones off and out of sight during the school day. Exceptions apply for emergencies and authorized use. These guidelines, shaped by stakeholder input, seek to enhance academic performance and promote mental well-being, alongside the district’s ongoing community initiatives and increased student engagement in extracurricular activities.
San Diego – New mobile phone rules for students in the San Diego Unified School District will take effect on August 11, 2025, coinciding with the start of the 2025-2026 school year. These guidelines were established by the district’s Board of Education in response to California’s Phone-Free School Act, aiming to create a more effective learning environment by addressing student distractions and enhancing overall academic performance.
The primary goal of this new policy is to minimize student interruptions that arise from mobile phone usage during school hours. The guidelines focus not only on improving academic outcomes but also on promoting mental health and well-being among students. The new rules have been shaped with comprehensive input from various stakeholders, including students, parents, and educators, ensuring a collaborative approach to implementation.
The district-wide policy applies to all students from Transitional Kindergarten through 12th grade. Under these new rules, students must keep their phones turned off and out of sight during school hours. They will be permitted to use their devices before and after school, on school buses, and during extracurricular activities. High school students will also have designated opportunities to use their phones during lunch and passing periods.
Exceptions to the phone policy are in place for emergencies, teacher-authorized instructional use, and accommodations for students with special needs. To maintain a respectful and focused learning environment, enforcement of the policy will utilize a Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports and Restorative Justice Practices approach. Initial infractions will result in verbal reminders, with escalating consequences that may include counseling referrals, parent contact, and phone confiscation for repeated offenses. In severe cases of non-compliance, students may face restrictions from participating in school events and activities.
The San Diego Unified School District currently boasts a graduation rate of 90.9%, with 6,009 students graduating in the 2024-25 academic year. Recent state assessments have shown slight improvements in student proficiency, with English language arts proficiency rising from 53.8% to 54.2% and math proficiency increasing from 43.2% to 43.9%.
In addition to the new phone policy, the school district is actively expanding its community school model, adding ten new locations for the 2025-26 school year, bringing the total to 35 community schools. The district also operates 12 wellness centers and serves over 90,000 meals daily, addressing the broader needs of students and promoting overall well-being.
Participation in athletics has risen as well, with a 13% increase compared to pre-pandemic levels. This rise reflects the district’s commitment to ensuring students have access to a well-rounded educational experience while also emphasizing mental and physical health.
The development of the phone policy involved dialogue with students regarding practical measures for effective implementation. Their suggestions include creating designated storage areas for phones within classrooms, addressing concerns over responsible use while significantly reducing distractions from mobile devices.
For middle school students, the use of phones during school hours will be strictly prohibited, requiring them to store their devices in allocated spaces. As part of the effort to maintain educational focus, high school students may only use mobile phones with explicit permission from school administrators during instructional time.
This comprehensive approach marks a significant step forward for the San Diego Unified School District in fostering an academic environment that values engagement, learning, and the well-being of its students.
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Additional Resources
- Times of San Diego: New Phone Rules for Students
- CBS 8: San Diego Unified New Phone Policy
- Fox 5 San Diego: San Diego Schools Phone Policy
- San Francisco Chronicle: California Court Rules on Phone Usage
- Google Search: California Phone-Free School Act
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SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
