Jefferson Academy Elementary

Dear JACS Family and Staff,

Thank you to everyone who took the time to participate in our cell phone policy survey last month. We truly value your voice and appreciate the thoughtful feedback you shared.

We received 495 responses across all JACS campuses, representing a wide range of perspectives from families and staff across our community. Your participation provided meaningful insight and helped inform important conversations moving forward.

On January 30th, our principals met to review and discuss the survey results. They are now working collaboratively to develop a proposed cell phone policy that will be presented to the Board of Directors. This process is also guided by the requirements of HB 25-1135, ensuring JACS remains in compliance with the new state policy.

To maintain transparency and keep our community informed, we want to share the key trends and findings that emerged from the survey responses. These insights are helping shape ongoing discussions as we work toward a balanced and thoughtful policy that supports student learning, campus safety, and clear communication.

You will find the Key Trends & Findings from the survey responses shared below.

Thank you again for your engagement, feedback, and partnership. We appreciate your continued support and will provide updates as this work progresses.

Cell Phone Policy Survey – January 2026

Parent, Staff, & Student Feedback

Total responses: 495

Campus participation:

JA Secondary: 176 responses (36%)

JA Elementary: 143 responses (29%)

Summit Academy (Westminster): 130 responses (26%)

JA Coal Creek Canyon: 28 responses (6%)

Summit Academy South: 18 responses (4%)

Overall tone: A clear majority support the intent of the policy, with recurring concerns focused on implementation, consistency, and emergency communication.

Key Trends & Findings

1. Reduced Distractions & Improved Focus (Most Common Benefit)

The most frequently cited benefit across all campuses is fewer distractions during instructional time.

Parents and staff report:

- Increased student attention

- Improved academic engagement

- Calmer classroom environments

Campus notes:

JA Elementary (143 responses): Strongest consensus that phones are unnecessary during the school day.

JA Secondary (176 responses): Broad agreement on instructional benefits, with more nuance around non-class times.

Summit Academy (Westminster, 130 responses): Consistently positive feedback on classroom focus.

2. Increased Face-to-Face Social Interaction

Many respondents report:

- More student conversation during lunch and passing periods

- Improved peer relationships

- Reduced social-media-driven conflict

Campus notes:

This theme appears most strongly at Summit Academy (Westminster).

Elementary families note healthier play and recess behavior.

3. Inconsistent Enforcement Is the Most Common Challenge

A significant portion of respondents—especially at JA Secondary and Summit Academy (Westminster)—report:

- Different rules by teacher

- Uneven enforcement during lunch, study hall, or hallways

- Confusion about consequences

Campus notes:

Elementary campuses report fewer enforcement issues.

Secondary campuses identify inconsistency as the primary factor undermining policy effectiveness.

4. Safety & Emergency Communication Remains a Major Tension Point

Roughly one-third of secondary-level responses raise concerns about:

- Emergency access to children

- Schedule changes and pickup coordination

- Anxiety during lockdown or crisis situations

Important context:

Many respondents who raised safety concerns still support limiting phone use during class, but request:

- Clear emergency protocols

- Access during non-instructional times

- Phones kept in backpacks (powered off/silent)

5. Smartwatches & Wearable Devices Are a Growing Gray Area

Across all campuses, respondents note:

- Smartwatches are frequently used to bypass phone restrictions

- Unclear rules about whether watches are allowed

- Inconsistent enforcement by grade level or teacher

Most common request:
Clear, explicit guidance on smartwatch expectations and consequences.

Overall Conclusions

- Strong majority support limiting phone use during instructional time

-Broad agreement that the policy improves focus, engagement, and school culture

- Primary risks to success are operational, not philosophical:

- Inconsistent enforcement

- Unclear emergency communication procedures

- Ambiguity around smartwatches and other devices

Key Leadership Implication

The data indicates the policy is directionally correct and widely supported, but its long-term effectiveness depends on:

- Consistent, campus-wide enforcement

- Clear emergency communication expectations

- Unified rules for smartwatches and wearable technology