Dear FMS Middle School Families,
Beginning in the 2025–2026 school year, Farmington Municipal Schools (FMS) will issue laptops to middle school students for use at school only. This decision was made in partnership with our middle school principals and is based on several key factors:
30–35% of students are not using their school-issued laptops at home.
45–55% are using the laptops mainly for non-educational content, especially YouTube.
Only 20–25% are accessing websites categorized as educational by our internet filter.
High Rates of Laptop Damage:
Middle school students account for 70% of all secondary laptop damage, despite making up only 40% of the secondary student population.
This damage has resulted in over $350,000 in repair and replacement costs this past school year alone.
Student Health and Academic Impact:
There is a growing body of evidence that shows that excessive screen time can negatively affect brain development, emotional well-being, and academic success in adolescents.
What This Means for Your Student:
Laptops will stay at school and be stored in classroom carts to charge overnight.
Each middle school will have a system for daily check-out and check-in of laptops during the school day.
Every student will be assigned a specific device once a parent or guardian signs the FMS laptop agreement.
Middle school students taking classes at a high school will still be issued a laptop and charger for home use, following high school policies.
Families will be charged up to $100 per repair for any accidental or intentional damage to a laptop. This policy applies to all secondary school students.
Thank you for your continued support as we work to create a safe, effective, and balanced learning environment for all students.
Farmington Municipal Schools