St. Mary's Academy has had a successful 1:1 iPad Program since 2013 and we have learned a lot over the years. iPads continue to outperform other devices for their flexibility, functionality, creativity, and battery life lasting an entire school day on a single charge even with heavy use.
The iPads we issue the incoming freshman class are typically the newest model available from Apple (transfer students will receive the same make/model that their respective classmates were issued when they were Freshmen). It is expected that when they are well maintained these iPads will last all 4 years for the students with the option to purchase at a significantly reduced rate when they graduate. There is no impact on tuition regardless of which option families choose.
| School Issued iPads | |
| Advantages | No cost to families as they are owned by the school. |
| We have typically received iPads for all the incoming Freshmen in July so they are set up and ready to go on the first day of school. Even if students have initially opted out they can change their mind and opt back in as we still have an iPad for them. | |
| Damaged iPads are repaired/replaced at $50 each time up to twice per year for all 4 years. | |
| Replacement iPads of the same make/model are available at the school so turnaround time is EXTREMELY quick. | |
| iPads that fail due to a technical malfunction not related to damage are replaced at no cost at any time over all 4 years. | |
| Because the iPads are managed by the school they are continually monitored for health, and appropriate use, and given priority on the school network. | |
| Disadvantages | As iPads age the battery life diminishes and newer iPadOS versions can slow them down. However, we have found that this is not significant enough to impact everyday school use even in the 4th year. |
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Families that want to better monitor or set restrictions must do so directly on the school iPad but can set a passcode. |
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Families that have set "Ask to Buy" on personal Apple IDs that are under Family Sharing must turn that feature off when the student needs to install a book or App. It can then be turned back on. |
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Features and technology that work with newer iPads may not work with older models. |
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Graduating students who purchase the iPad from the school must copy off all their files and then coordinate erasing the iPad to remove it from the school and then students can put the files back on. |
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| Personal iPads (Supported but not recommended) | |
| Advantages | Families can obtain newer and/or more powerful iPads as they become available. |
| The school mobile management is limited only providing for Apps/links to be pushed out and basic health monitoring. Families are responsible for all other aspects of appropriate use. | |
| Screen Time is better monitored and controlled with Family Apple IDs. Thus, restrictions are put more in the hands of the families that don't necessarily have to make changes on the iPad directly. | |
| Upon graduation families simply remove the mobile device management profile. | |
| Disadvantages | Families are responsible for repair and replacement costs. Once they are no longer covered by warranty/AppleCare+ these repair or replacement costs can get REALLY expensive. |
| Extra steps are needed to interact with some teaching activities in the classroom. | |
Other helpful links:
- iPad Cases, Keyboards and Accessories – Tech Help @ St. Mary's Academy (zendesk.com)
- iPad Damaged? – Tech Help @ St. Mary's Academy (zendesk.com)
- Freshmen & New Students – Tech Help @ St. Mary's Academy (zendesk.com)
Please submit a request or send us an email if you have additional questions.