Guide by GRADE

Grade 12

Our Technology Vision Overview

Senior year is the bridge to adulthood. In just months, your teen will manage all of their technology decisions independently. This final year of high school is your final chance to help them practice the habits, judgment, and self-awareness they’ll need in college.

The relationship at this stage should be one of mutual respect and trust. Your role is less about setting boundaries and more about reflecting together: What is working? What isn’t working? What habits do you want to carry forward?

Young adults who enter college with strong self-regulation skills, awareness of how technology affects their well-being, and the ability to recognize when they need help are most successful. Use this year to transition from parental guidance to independent decision-making, and offer your support and let them know you’re still available when needed. Seven Hills faculty and staff continue to model positive technology behaviors and guide teens towards responsible use. Every family is unique, and we recognize that you know your child best. These guidelines are offered as research-based recommendations to help you make informed decisions that work for your family.

View our research resources.

AT SCHOOL

What Students Do:

Balance academic demands with college applications and extracurriculars.
Develop advanced digital literacy and research skills.
Take notes, annotate texts, and collect data.
Create multimedia projects using various tools such as iMovie, Canva, and Google Suite.
Work independently on long-form academic projects.
Track assignments and organize work through Canvas
Communicate via their school email account.

School Policies:

Students are expected to self-regulate during class and independent work time.
iPad goes home nightly — for school use only.
Passwords should only be shared with parents and the Technology Department.
Students in grade 12 are able to keep their personal devices at school if they have senior privileges, and they may only use them in the senior lounge. If a student loses their senior privileges, they must turn in their devices to their adviser at the beginning of the school day and may retrieve them from their adviser at the end of the day.
With teacher permission, students in grades 11-12 are able to bring a personal laptop to school for schoolwork.

AT HOME

Preparing for Independence:

School iPad is for academic work only.
Focus on reflection and self-regulation, not rules.
Stay curious and ask what they’re learning and how technology affects their wellbeing.
Discuss habits they want to bring to college and those they want to leave behind.
Be available as a sounding board. Think trust over control.
Encourage intentional, purposeful technology use.
Support balance across academics, sleep, relationships, and activities.