This fall, Camden Hills Regional High School (CHRHS) took a major step toward fostering a more focused and engaged learning environment with the launch of its new phone-free policy.
Planning for this transition began last year, when the school started communicating with students and families about the upcoming change. Over the summer, administrators worked together to finalize protocols, sharing informational emails and videos to prepare families for the policy. Welcome messages included clear Day 1 steps and expectations, ensuring that students knew what to expect when they returned to school.
To support the implementation, representatives from Yondr — the company that provides secure locking phone pouches — visited CHRHS to help customize arrival and dismissal plans. Permanent magnets to unlock the pouches were installed at main entrances, mobile magnets were acquired for efficiency, and staff were stationed at key locations to guide students. On September 2, every student received a numbered Yondr pouch. They also watched an instructional video and participated in class meetings to clarify expectations and ask questions. Students now secure their phones in pouches each morning upon arrival and unlock them quickly and efficiently at dismissal.
The results have been overwhelmingly positive. In the first days of the rollout, administrators were visible throughout the building, ensuring support in classrooms, hallways, the cafeteria, and other spaces. Principal Jen Curtis shared that there has been minimal non-compliance and that “students have responded positively to a phone-free day.” Junior class Student Board Representative Seren Landfair highlighted how different the atmosphere feels. “The halls have become more alive,” she said at a recent board meeting, adding that not having constant phone notifications has made it easier to connect with peers and focus on the school day.
CHRHS joins a growing number of Maine schools adopting phone-free policies. Morse High School in Bath was an early adopter, requiring students to use pouches for their phones from the start to the end of the school day. Similarly, Portland Public Schools has implemented a ban on cell phones during the school day to minimize distractions and foster better social connections among students.
Schools are adopting phone-free policies for several key reasons:
Reduced Distractions: Removing cell phones helps eliminate distractions, allowing students and teachers to focus on instruction and learning.
Improved Social Interaction: Students are more likely to engage in face-to-face conversations and build stronger relationships without the constant presence of their phones.
Better Academic Performance: Phone-free environments are thought to improve academic achievement and focus.
Enhanced Mental Health: Some research connects reduced screen time from phones to improved student mental health.
Early wins from the CHRHS policy include smooth arrival and dismissal routines, clear communication with families, and — most importantly — increased social interaction among students. By removing distractions, Camden Hills is reinforcing its commitment to creating a learning environment where students can stay present, engaged, and connected with one another.
A growing number of Maine schools and districts are moving toward more restrictive phone policies. By August 1, 2026, every school district in the state will be required to have its own cellphone policy in place, signaling a statewide shift toward more intentional and focused learning environments.