School Policies & Family Handbook

To help students focus on academics and in-person human interactions, Vertex Partnership Academies is a cell phone free zone. This means that during arrival each morning, each student puts his or her personal digital devices, including cell phones, AirPods, and smartwatches in a personalized Yondr pouch that is locked and then not opened until the end of the day at dismissal.  

Overwhelming evidence now points to the fact that a primary source of today’s much discussed mental health crisis among young people, is immediate access to mobile devices and the toxic social media apps that typically accompany them. Vertex Partnership Academies is recognized as a pioneer removing these unnecessary distractions during the school day.

As evidence, at Vertex Partnership Academies, on March 6, 2024, Jonathan Haidt (renowned NYU Professor and author of the book Anxious Generation), Doug Lemov (founder of Teach Like A Champion), Graham Dugoni, CEO, Yondr, and Lyne James Turnbull, Founding Principal of New Pathways Academy in the Bronx, held a panel discussion entitled Digital Distractions: The Case for Phone-Free Schools. See below to watch the panel. 

Please read more about the extraordinary experiences students have at Vertex Partnership Academies and student life overall.

For further information on the harms of cell phones and social media on children, please read the Surgeon General Advisory About the Effects of Social Media on Youth Mental Health. It is also important to read the Surgeon General Advisory on Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation. One of the key recommendations is to "Reform Digital Environments: We must critically evaluate our relationship with technology and ensure that how we interact digitally does not detract from meaningful and healing connection with others."

Vertex scholars wear a uniform daily. All uniforms can be purchased online here.