When the school year begins at Emerald Academy, a new initiative will enhance the learning experience: Emerald Academy will be the first school in East Tennessee to be “phone-free” using the Yondr Phone-Free Space system.

The Yondr program utilizes a simple, secure pouch that stores a phone. Sixth through eighth grade scholars will secure their phone in a personally assigned Yondr pouch when they arrive at school. Scholars will maintain possession of their phones and will not use them until their pouches are opened at the end of the school day. Scholars will bring their Yondr pouch to and from Emerald Academy daily and are responsible for their pouch at all times.

Scholars in kindergarten through fifth grade will continue to adhere to Emerald Academy’s longstanding policy of keeping all electronic devices turned off and in a backpack for the entire school day.

Why is Emerald Academy implementing Yondr?

“Simply put, electronic devices – most notably cell phones with easy access to social media – are increasingly a significant distraction in schools and to the learning process,” said Emerald Academy School Director Carlissa Weeks. “As we enter our 10th year serving families in Knoxville, Emerald Academy remains dedicated to scholars. The Yondr program aligns with our values of high expectations, excellence, respect, teamwork and commitment, and we believe implementing this new tool is another way to help fulfill our mission of preparing urban scholars for the college of their choice and community leadership.

“While we recognize it will take some adjustment by Emerald Academy scholars, families and faculty, we are in this together and committed to the Yondr program succeeding,” said Weeks.

“I am thrilled the school is taking this important step,” said parent Nicole Lattimore. “Emerald Academy continues to be on the forefront of education, and this is one more reason why I choose to send my daughter here. I’m so grateful for Emerald Academy’s care for my scholar.”

Yondr has been implemented in over 2,000 schools across 16 countries to facilitate a more engaged learning environment. Yondr has received responses to its surveys from over 1,200 school partners, and after implementing the Yondr Education Program:

• 84% saw a change in student engagement
• 72% saw a positive change in student behavior
• 68% saw a positive change in academic performance

In a June New York Times opinion essay, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy cited a “profound risk of harm” to adolescent mental health and urged families to set limits and governments to set tougher standards for use of social media.

“The mental health crisis among young people is an emergency — and social media has emerged as an important contributor. Adolescents who spend more than three hours a day on social media face double the risk of anxiety and depression symptoms, and the average daily use in this age group, as of the summer of 2023, was 4.8 hours. Additionally, nearly half of adolescents say social media makes them feel worse about their bodies,” Murthy wrote.

Dr. Garrett Bell-Gresham with Cherokee Health Systems, who serves patients in Knoxville’s city neighborhoods, said, “As a pediatrician, I am seeing firsthand the negative impact on children of too much screen time, as well as the consequences of social media. While technology certainly has its benefits when utilized appropriately, we must not be afraid to place limits on it for young people — and for ourselves as adults to set the right example. I’m certain that taking steps now to care for children, much like Emerald Academy is doing with scholars, will serve them meaningfully in the future.”

Emerald Academy is currently sharing with families about the Yondr program, which will be implemented one week after school begins on July 22, allowing scholars, parents and faculty to adjust to the new program.

About Emerald Academy & Emerald Charter Schools
Emerald Academy (EA) is a free, independently operated, K-8 college preparatory school launched by Emerald Charter Schools that opened in 2015. Located in the historic Moses School Building in Old Mechanicsville, Emerald Academy’s mission is to prepare urban scholars for the college of their choice and community leadership. State assessment data confirms that EA continues to change the trajectory of learning outcomes for urban youth and close the academic achievement gap for economically disadvantaged and minority scholars. In 2021, Emerald Academy was named the state’s Charter School of the Year. Founded in 2014, Emerald Charter Schools is a non-sectarian, 501(c)(3) organization that operates Emerald Academy.