Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) Cell Phone Policy, 2026–27
Starting the first day of the 2026–27 school year, DPSCD expects students not to use cell phones from the entry bell to the dismissal bell. Each school tells families whether it collects phones every day or has students keep them powered off and put away, and some high schools allow phones at lunch only.
- Location
- Detroit, Michigan
- Wayne County
- Enrollment
- About 49,000 students
- Detroit area
DPSCD phone policy at a glance
- Policy
- Districtwide expectation announced by Superintendent Nikolai Vitti on Aug. 18, 2026
- Starts
- First day of the 2026–27 school year
- Hours
- Entry bell to dismissal bell
- Storage
- Set by each school: phones collected and returned daily, or kept powered off and put away
- Lunch
- Some high schools allow phone use at lunch only, and tell their families directly
- Parent contact
- Call the school’s main office; staff pass along urgent messages or connect parents with their child
- Consequences
- Under the DPSCD Code of Conduct
Last verified Oct. 12, 2026 against the district’s published policy and the state law it cites. Sources are listed at the end of this page.
What the DPSCD policy says
In an Aug. 18, 2026 message to families, the district said it expects that “cell phones are not used from the entry bell to the dismissal bell,” starting on the first day of the 2026–27 school year, and tied the change to Michigan’s new law. How phones are stored is up to each school: some collect devices in the morning and return them at the end of the day, while others have students keep phones powered off and out of sight.
The one planned exception is lunch at some high schools, which may allow phone use during lunch only and will tell their families. Parents who need to reach a student during the day should call the school’s main office. Violations are handled under the district’s Code of Conduct.
How it fits Michigan law
Michigan’s HB 4141 and companion SB 495, signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Feb. 10, 2026, require every district and public school academy to bar student use of wireless devices during instructional time starting in 2026–27, post the policy and how it is enforced online, and have an emergency protocol. The state law lets students use phones between classes and at lunch unless a district is stricter. DPSCD chose to be stricter, covering the whole day from the entry bell to dismissal.
More detail is in our guide to Michigan’s school phone law and the phone-free school laws by state directory.
Frequently asked questions
What is the DPSCD cell phone policy for 2026–27?
DPSCD expects students not to use cell phones from the entry bell to the dismissal bell, starting the first day of the 2026–27 school year. Each school decides whether to collect phones daily or have students keep them powered off and put away.
Can Detroit Public Schools students use phones at lunch?
Only at some high schools, which may allow phone use during lunch and will tell their families. Otherwise the rule covers the whole school day.
How do I reach my child during the school day in DPSCD?
Call the school’s main office. Staff will relay time-sensitive messages or connect you with your child.
Is the Detroit phone rule required by Michigan law?
Michigan’s 2026 law requires a ban during instructional time at minimum. DPSCD’s entry-bell-to-dismissal rule goes further than the state requires.
Sources
- District new cell phone policy, Detroit Public Schools Community District, Aug. 18, 2026
- House Bill 4141 of 2025, Michigan Legislature, signed Feb. 10, 2026
- Senate Bill 495 of 2025, Michigan Legislature, signed Feb. 10, 2026
LockedIn, which publishes this page, makes software that locks students’ own phones during the school day. It is not part of the district’s policy.
See other Michigan school districts or school district phone policies by state.