News Summary
The San Diego Unified School District has introduced a phone-free policy for nearly 95,000 students, aiming to enhance focus and mental health. The policy requires students to turn off mobile devices during school hours. While phone use is permitted before and after school, as well as during lunch for high schoolers, enforcement measures will be in place for violations. The district also emphasizes academic improvement, boasting a 90.9% graduation rate and increased proficiency in core subjects, alongside the expansion of community schools and wellness centers to support student needs.
San Diego – Nearly 95,000 students in the San Diego Unified School District returned to school on Monday to kick off the 2025-26 academic year, marking the start of a new era with a recently implemented phone-free policy across its 175 schools. Designed to minimize distractions and enhance both academic performance and mental health, the initiative aligns with California’s Phone-Free School Act.
Under this new policy, students from transitional kindergarten through 12th grade are required to turn off their mobile phones during class hours and keep them out of sight while on school grounds. Usage of phones is allowed before school begins, after school ends, on school buses, and during extracurricular activities. For high school students, there are additional allowances permitting phone use during lunch and passing periods to provide some flexibility.
The policy introduces clear enforcement measures which will initially include verbal reminders. Should students repeatedly violate this rule, it may result in counselor referrals, parental contact, and potential confiscation of the devices. Additional consequences could restrict students from participating in school events, emphasizing the district’s commitment to fostering a focused learning environment.
The San Diego Unified School District, with its notable 90.9% graduation rate, is also seeing progress in academic metrics. Recent assessments indicate a slight increase in proficiency among students, particularly in English language arts, which rose from 53.8% to 54.2%, and mathematics, which improved from 43.2% to 43.9% over the past year. These figures suggest that while the district pursues innovative strategies to improve student engagement, it is also yielding positive changes in academic outcomes.
Furthermore, the district is expanding its community school model, now operating a total of 35 community schools, including ten new locations for this academic year. This initiative is part of a broader focus on not only enhancing educational attainment but also supporting overall student wellness.
In addition to academic strategies, the district prioritizes health and wellness, providing 12 wellness centers that are available to support student mental health. On a daily basis, the district serves over 90,000 meals, underscoring its commitment to the nutritional needs of its students. Athletic participation has also surged by 13% compared to pre-pandemic levels, with involvement increasing from 12,001 students in the 2018-19 school year to 13,565 in 2025-26, reflecting a recovery in school-related extracurricular engagement.
The implementation of the phone-free policy comes as various districts across California adopt similar measures in an effort to protect student focus and mental well-being. This trend underscores a collective recognition of the challenges posed by mobile device distraction in educational settings.
In conclusion, the San Diego Unified School District’s new policy will be monitored closely throughout the academic year as it aims to create a more conducive learning environment for students. The administration remains committed to applying comprehensive strategies focused on not only academic improvement but also the holistic well-being of its student population.
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Additional Resources
- NBC San Diego
- Wikipedia: Cell Phone Policy in Schools
- CBS 8
- Google Search: San Diego school cell phone policy
- Fox 5 San Diego
- Google Scholar: San Diego Unified School District cell phone policy
- GovTech
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Cell Phone Usage
- The Center Square
- Google News: San Diego Unified School cell phone policy
Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
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.
