New Haven High Schools go phone-free to improve focus and behavior

NEW HAVEN, CT (WFSB) - As the school year began, most high school students in New Haven have had to get used to having no cell phones in class.

Mayor Justin Elicker and the district’s superintendent spoke about the new policy at Metropolitan Business Academy on Monday morning.

The district-wide policy went into effect on Monday. It required students at nine of New Haven’s 10 public high schools to lock away their phones for the whole school day.

“I thought that I would not get used to it and that I would always be fidgeting around,” said Brandon Martinez, a senior. “I need my phone, scrolling on social media.”

The same rule was applied to nearly all public school students in the city, from elementary to high school.

City and school leaders said the move is aimed at improving student focus, reducing classroom disruptions, and supporting better mental health.

The decision followed growing concerns over how smartphones may affect learning environments.

“I would see people in the bathroom, they’re like, ‘I need my phone. I need to doom scroll on social media,’” Martinez said.

According to a study cited by the district, schools that implemented similar phone-free policies saw a 15 percent increase in the probability of students earning passing grades and a 44 percent drop in average monthly behavioral referrals.

“I feel like this is a gift that I am giving our children,” said Dr. Madeline Negron, superintendent. “It is giving them the gift to disconnect even for just a few hours.”

The district received $375,000 in funding from the city for the program. With the money, the district acquired Yondr pouches. The pouches lock up phones.

“Within the first week of school, it’s felt like some of the best teaching and learning that’s happened,” said Max Comando, a social studies teacher.

District leaders said they planned to continue monitoring the effects of the policy throughout the school year.

Some students, however, said they were skeptical about the new policy.

Drew Walker, for example, takes dual-enrollment classes at Yale and Southern Connecticut State University.

Walker said not having a phone creates problem when trying to coordinate with family.

“We do still have a lot of responsibilities,” Walker said. “I know there’s a lot of kids who have to work because they have to help support their families. There’s a couple students who do have kids they need to check on. I hope there can just be a bit more flexibility with phone usage.”