Technology Requirements for 6th-12th Grade

Over the years, The Banff School has researched, implemented and adapted different technology programs for our 6th-12th grade students. After assessing the different options and programs, as well as their inidivudal benfits and costs, we have agreed that a 1-to-1 technology program with student-owned devices provides more benefits and value to our students since families retain ownership of the technology device instead of paying for it through higher tuition costs and having to ultimately return the device back to the school. Family ownership of technology devices also gives our students an increased sense of responsibility and pride in their device as well as allows them to customize their technology to help meet their own, specific educational goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

We have created a list of Frequently Asked Questions below to help families with ensuring they have the correct required technology for their student's class.

What technology items are required?

Students in 6th-8th grades are responsible for providing a full-sized Apple iPad (no iPad Minis) with an external keyboard.
- PLEASE NOTE: This requirement will change for the 2024-2025 school year with students in 6th-8th grade required to provide a 13-inch (or larger) Apple MacBook laptop. For this reason, students enrolled for the 2023-2024 school year are allowed to bring a MacBook instead of an iPad.
Students in 9th-12th grades are responsible for providing a 13-inch (or larger) Apple MacBook laptop.

Can I use an Apple device I already own? Or do I have to purchase a new one?

Students are welcome to use previously owned Apple devices, as long as the device meets the following minimum requirements:

iPads

iPad Generation 5 or higher
Working WiFi hardware. Students will be prohibited/blocked from using cellular services/data on iPads with a cellular option.
Working Bluetooth hardware.
iPad, iPad Air, or iPad Pro. iPad minis are not allowed.
Free of screen defects such as large scratches or cracks that hinder screen viewing.
Has working volume, home and lock buttons.
Touchscreen functionality is fully operational.
Has a working headphone jack (or student must have Bluetooth headphones).
Has an appropriate power adapter/charging cable and can hold a charge for a minimum of 7 hours.
Has sufficient hard drive space for all school-required apps, iBook textbooks, Google Classroom documents or other classwork documents/requirements. Generally, this can be up to 32GBs. If the student’s iPad capacity is 32GBs, then “personal” apps or documents will need to be removed, allowing sufficient space. Hard drives larger than 32GBs are suggested/preferred.

MacBooks

Must be able to run macOS 11 (“Big Sur”) or higher.
Working Wi-Fi hardware.
Free of screen defects such as large scratches or cracks that hinder screen viewing.
Has working keyboard (all keys).
Has a working headphone jack (or student must have Bluetooth headphones).
Has an appropriate power adapter/charging cable and can hold a charge for a minimum of 7 hours.
Has sufficient hard drive space for all school-required apps, iBook textbooks, Google Classroom documents or other classwork documents/requirements. A 256 GB hard drive with minimal personal applications or data present should be sufficient. Students may have to remove personal applications or documents if sufficient hard drive space is not available for schoolwork.
Has a minimum of 8GB of memory.

If I do not own the correct device, how do I purchase one?

Families can visit Banff's Apple Store page to view the required devices for purchase.

PLEASE NOTE: The 6th-8th requirement will change for the 2024-2025 school year with students required to provide a 13-inch (or larger) Apple MacBook Air laptop. For this reason, students enrolled for the 2023-2024 school year are allowed to purchase/bring a MacBook instead of an iPad.

The Banff Apple Store lists the "Recommended Devices" for purchase per the requirements of our curriculum and school programs. The devices listed in the recommended page meet the minimum requirements the school has set for student devices, however, families are welcome to purchase more expensive devices/models or add additional hard drive space, memory, etc. All that is required is that devices meet these minimum standards.

The Banff Apple Store offers all the same great features you would find when shopping on the regular Apple Store website, including free delivery, device engraving and in-store pickup. All devices on Banff's Apple Store are priced at discounted educational costs, and parents will also have the option of financing their purchase through Apple with affordable monthly payments.

The Banff School strongly recommends parents add the optional AppleCare+ coverage to their student's device. AppleCare+ covers accidental damage and other support issues, allowing parents to be confident that their student's device is properly protected and will last them through their time at Banff.

Please note: The Banff School receives no profit from the purchase of these devices through Apple.

Can I use my own accessories?

Because the devices are owned by the students, accessories (such as cases, covers, external keyboards, stylus pens, etc.) are completely up to the family to add, as long as they do not distract or deter the student (or his/her peers) from learning in the classroom. Students can choose their own case, opt to utilize a full-size bluetooth keyboard for their iPad, or any other option - the choice is theirs!

Will my student be required to purchase apps for classroom use?

If the app is required for a part of the normal school curriculum, the school will purchase the app and deliver it automatically to the student's device. In the case of textbooks viewed through the Apple Books app, student's SchoolAdmin accounts will be charged the digital textbook cost and the textbook license will automatically be delivered to the student's device.

What does my student need to do with the device before using it at school?

Students will be required to enroll their devices with the school before they can use them in the classroom. More information about this process will be available at the beginning of the school year.

What if my student’s device is damaged or stolen?

The student’s device is their responsibility, in the same way that their textbooks, notebooks and binders are their responsibility. The Banff School is not responsible for loss or damage of a student’s device. We recommend purchasing AppleCare+ for your student’s device. We also recommend enrolling the device in the "Find my iPad" section of the student iCloud account. Doing so allows the device to be locked down if deemed lost or stolen. More information about this can be found on Apple's website.

Can the school temporarily confiscate or search my student’s device?

Yes, before bringing the device on campus, the student and parents must sign and agree to The Banff School's "Personal Technology Device Agreement" as well as the "Technology Acceptable Use Agreement" documents.