We made the decision to require Upper School students to carry their own devices for several reasons. First and foremost, this decision was made in the best interest of the students as it will continue to enrich our academic program.

Allowing the boys to carry their device of choice provides them ready and equal access to the Internet and helps them develop the technological skills they will need as they continue their education at Gilman and beyond. By using his own device, each boy will gain an individual competency with hardware and software that stays with him.

By having his own device, a student will be able to access his school-provided email account; Canvas, our learning management system; and, myriad of other educational resources anytime and anywhere he has access to a Wi-Fi network. This should ease the transition between a student's technology capabilities at home and at school.

Gilman is committed to teaching students to be good digital citizens. The Administration and Faculty assist students in creating an atmosphere that attempts to bring the values of the Gilman Five to the 21st Century.

Students may connect to the Gilman wireless network on their device. Upon selecting the appropriate network, he will be prompted for his username and password which will in turn connect the device to the wireless network.

Below are some general guidelines for purchasing the right device for your son:

• Apple MacBook laptop (models vary) - this is the most popular type of laptop students use in the Upper School. Either the MacBook Air or MacBook Pro should meet your son's needs throughout his years in the Upper School. It can be the most expensive option, however, it usually holds up better than any other device.
• Chromebook (makers and models vary) - this type of device comes in as perhaps the most affordable device that can work for your son, as it runs on the Google Chrome operating system and directly ties into the G Suite, which we use as a school. While it may not be as flashy as a Mac, it can still meet most of the needs that your son might have.
• Windows laptop/tablet (makers and models vary) - with makers like HP, Dell, Lenovo, and Microsoft, you have lots of options for picking a Windows laptop. The most important thing to consider when choosing a Windows laptop is the ruggedness of it (can it handle the bumps of a teenager?), and the warranty. Any current Windows laptop will meet your son's needs in the Upper School, so it's more about the quality of the device itself. A visit to your local Best Buy should get you whatever you want.
• Apple iPad (regular or Air, not Pro) - a few students use this, however, I would not recommend it as an option at this time.

In the end, you only want to spend your money once here. We recommend buying a laptop now that will last him all four years, so that you do not need to worry about buying another one until it is time for college. Some buy too cheap now, and end up having to buy another one before he graduates Gilman. So be sure to spend well now.

In terms of hardware specs, here are some general guidelines:

• was made in the last 6-12 months
• is running the latest operating system
• has at least 256GB of storage
• has at least 8GB of RAM/memory (get more if you can)
• has at least a 3-4 year warranty (incl. accidental damage if you can get it)
• has at least an 11" screen
• must have up-to-date free or paid anti-virus/anti-malware software installed (e.g. Avast, BitDefender, TrendMicro)

In terms of software, Gilman will provide your son with any Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc.) or Adobe Creative Cloud (Acrobat, Photoshop, etc.) applications that he may need for a class. So please do not purchase any of these.

If you have any questions about what type of device to purchase for your son, please contact the Director of Technology, Tye Campbell, at tcampbell@gilman.edu.

A tablet refers to any number of tablet or slate shaped devices that can be manipulated using a touch screen. While the iPad is currently the most popular tablet, there are Android OS and Windows OS tablets as well.

Students have the option to use a tablet if they feel that device best suits their needs for their classes. The tablet needs to be capable of accessing the Internet, opening various document types, and keyboard-capable for easy typing.

• Laptops should have at least 8GB or RAM (memory), and at least 256GB of hard drive storage.
• Up-to-date anti-virus software is always required - we recommend Avast or BitDefender - both offer quality, free products.
• For iPads: 9.7" Wi-Fi-only model (no cellular) with at least 32GB of storage; should be no more than one year old when purchased, and capable of running the latest version of iOS.
• For Android tablets: 9" Wi-Fi-only model (no cellular) with at least 32GB of storage; should be no more than one year old when purchased, and capable of running the latest version of Android OS.

The only software Gilman requires students to have installed and running at all times is an up-to-date anti-virus/anti-malware program. There are excellent free and paid options for this, such as Avast, BitDefender, TrendMicro, and Malwarebytes. Students who do not have an active, up-to-date anti-virus/anti-malware program running on their computer at all times will not be allowed to connect to the School network.

As a Google Workspace for Education school (formerly Google Apps for Education), we use the free Google software suite, including Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc. In the event a student needs an application from the Microsoft Office or Adobe suites, Gilman will provide it for free.

Students and their families will be responsible for the safety and security of their personal devices. Families should check with their homeowners or renters insurance carrier to see if a lost or stolen device can be replaced through their coverage.

Another option would be to use Safeware, a company that specializes in insurance for all types of electronic devices. Explore the Safeware option.

Students should come to school with their devices fully charged. They should consider charging their devices as part of the daily home assignments.

Should students need to charge their device during the school day, there are outlets in the classrooms and common rooms. In addition, there will be a limited number of charging stations set up throughout the Upper School.

If you receive tuition assistance from Gilman, you can see more information about financing the purchase of a device by clicking here.

New Upper School families receiving tuition assistance will receive a letter during the summer regarding Device of Choice purchases.