Students at Cypress Ranch High School are adjusting to a new reality after Cy-Fair ISD schools implemented a phone ban.
The change was brought on by a new state law meant to reduce classroom distractions. Starting Aug. 13, all CFISD students were required to store their electronic devices away and keep them off during the school day. This new rule has sparked a mix of reactions among teachers, administrators and students.
“The school just seems much more like a factory,” senior Kyndall Jackson said. “I don’t know how to explain it. It’s more gray.”
Since the policy went into effect, the atmosphere on campus has definitely shifted. Teachers have noticed fewer phones out during lessons and say that students are a little more focused. Some have even seen more students participating in class discussions and paying closer attention to instructions. On the other hand, many feel the ban has made communication more complicated, especially when it comes to parents or after-school activities.
“I feel like students should have access to let their parents know about a change in schedule so they can prepare early, but without having phones, we can’t do that,” counselor Mrs. Natasha Brooks said.
Her comment reflects one of the biggest concerns—how to balance safety, communication and focus without making students feel cut off from the outside world.
Administrators have explained that the main goal of the phone ban is to help students stay more engaged in their learning and reduce the constant temptation of screens. The district believes that without phones, students can better manage their time, build stronger in-person connections and be more present in the classroom.
Still, not everyone agrees that the policy is helping. Some students say they miss listening to music between classes or checking messages from family during lunch. Others say the school day feels longer, quieter and even a little dull. Sophomore Aritz Cabrera said it feels “like the fun part of school disappeared” without being able to use their phone for a quick break.
At the same time, a few students admit that not having their phones has helped them focus more. They say they are talking to their friends in person instead of sitting silently on their screens, and some even feel less pressure from social media. It’s a change that comes with both frustration and unexpected benefits.
As the school year goes on, both students and staff are still figuring out how to adjust. The phone ban has become more than just a school rule—it’s part of a bigger conversation about how much technology should be in our everyday lives. For some, it’s helping create a more focused learning space. For others, it feels like another rule taking away personal freedom.
Either way, one thing is clear: Cypress Ranch is learning what school feels like without the buzz, pings and constant glow of a phone screen.