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Prince William County School Board Approves Bell-to-Bell Cell Phone Policy Starting August 2025

This year, Prince William County Public Schools took a bold and research-based step forward by adopting the new Cell Phone-Free Education Policy. Beginning in August 2025, all schools will implement a bell-to-bell policy that limits cell phone use during the instructional day. For High School, this means: Cell phones and wireless devices, including personal headphones/earbuds, are off and stored for the entire school day, from the tardy bell to dismissal, including field trips, but may be used before and after school hours.

This decision, shaped by community input and a successful pilot across 33 schools, is rooted in a shared goal: creating classroom environments where students are fully present—mentally, emotionally, and socially. The student-created slogan, “Stop the scroll, take control,” reminds us that this policy is about empowerment, not restriction. It is about reclaiming focus, restoring meaningful human connection, and giving our students every opportunity to thrive.

Students who disrupt the school’s educational environment by using wireless communication devices inappropriately (e.g., cheating, bullying, harassment, unlawful recording, violating behavior expectations) will be subject to disciplinary actions. The following actions will be taken if a student violates PWCS Policy 729, “Cell Phone-Free Education.” Failure to adhere to the terms of the policy will result in the following progressive discipline, which is consistent throughout all PWCS High Schools:

1. First Offense – The student will surrender the wireless communication device, the device will be locked in the main office, and it will be returned to the student at the end of the school day. The student will sign the Acknowledgment of Further Consequences Form. The teacher/staff member will document this offense in the Student Information System.
2. Second Offense – The student will surrender the wireless communication device, the device will be locked in the main office, and the device will be returned to the student at the end of the school day. The student will receive a second warning, and the teacher/staff member will notify the parent/guardian via SchoolStatus. The parent will be informed that the next offense (third offense) will result in a disciplinary incident in the Student Information System and the parent will have to retrieve the device. The teacher/staff member will document this offense in the Student Information System.
3. Third Offense – The student will surrender the wireless communication device, the device will be locked in the main office, and a referral will be generated documenting the violation of the cell phone guidelines. The student will complete a Healthy Cell Phone Use Canvas Module during lunch detention, after-school detention, restorative reflection, or Saturday school. The parent/guardian must retrieve the device from the school office and sign the Acknowledgment of Further Consequences Form.
4. *Infractions are cumulative.