Cell Phone Policy

At Voyages Prep South we are committed to creating a focused and engaging environment for all students. To minimize distractions and support academic success, we collect student cell phones each morning before students enter the building. This has remained consistent since 2013 when we first opened our doors because we believe this policy helps to ensure that classrooms remain spaces for learning, free from interruptions that cell phones and social media can often cause. Cell phones will be returned to students at the end of the school day.

Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, in accordance with New York State law, New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) is updating its policy regarding the use of personal internet-enabled electronic devices—including cell phones—in school. This change supports the State's intent to create distraction-free schools and aims to ensure safe and focused learning environments across all NYCPS schools.

Under the updated policy, Chancellor's Regulation A-413, students are not permitted to use personal internet-enabled electronic devices during the school day. This includes devices such as cell phones, laptops, tablets, and portable music and entertainment systems.

If you have any further questions regarding this policy you may click here.

What Happens If A Student Uses Their Device During the School Day Without Permission?

If a student uses their device without permission during the school day, they may be subject to progressive discipline in accordance with their school's policies and the NYCPS Discipline Code. This means that the school will use a series of escalating interventions and consequences to address the behavior based on the nature and frequency of the violation. Examples of interventions include conferences with the student's parent, or, if the behavior is sufficiently disruptive, removal from the classroom.

Students who violate this policy may even have their unauthorized devices confiscated. In that event, affected families will be contacted by their school's principal, and devices will be returned in accordance with the school's policy.

Note that students cannot be suspended solely for accessing personal internet-enabled electronic devices in violation of school policy—however, repeated refusal to surrender or store a personal device may result in a suspension. Further, schools are not permitted to deduct from students grades for violating the cell phone policy in class.