Phone-Free Schools in Albuquerque: APS Cell Phone Policy
Albuquerque Public Schools serves about 70,000 students in Albuquerque, New Mexico. New Mexico’s phone-free school law, SB 11, has been in effect since August 1, 2025.
- Location
- Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Bernalillo County
- Enrollment
- About 70,000 students
- Albuquerque area
Albuquerque Public Schools, the largest school district in New Mexico, is a public school district headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico (Bernalillo County), serving approximately 70,000 students across the Albuquerque area. Like every district in New Mexico, its cell phone rules are shaped by state law — and by how well the policy is actually enforced on each campus.
Does APS ban cell phones?
Yes. New Mexico law (SB 11 (2025) — Anti-Distraction Policy) requires districts to restrict student personal-device use (district and charter policy required; prohibiting use during instructional hours is optional), so the district must have a written phone policy.
For the full statute, scope, effective date, and primary sources, see our guide to New Mexico's phone-free school law, part of our phone-free school laws by state directory.
Enforcing a phone-free day across Albuquerque
New Mexico leaves the enforcement method to local districts.
Three enforcement models districts choose from
- Physical pouches (e.g., Yondr): a per-student cost that recurs as pouches are lost or damaged, plus daily hand-out and unlocking at every campus.
- District storage (lockers, caddies, classroom bins): low hardware cost, but it relies on staff to police compliance period after period.
- Device-level software (such as LockedIn): locks the phone students already carry during school hours, with no pouches to hand out.
LockedIn, which publishes this page, makes software that locks students' own phones during the school day, with an admin dashboard and no pouches or hardware. Where a state requires phones to be stored away from students, it works alongside that storage rather than replacing it. Compare the options in our phone-free school solutions comparison or the LockedIn vs. Yondr breakdown, and model the math with our pouch-vs-software cost calculator.
What APS schools can do next
Draft a policy with our free phone-free school policy generator, or contact our team for a quote. Title I schools in New Mexico may also qualify for subsidized access.
Explore other New Mexico school districts or browse phone-free school coverage by district.
Frequently asked questions
Does APS have a cell phone ban?
Yes. New Mexico law (SB 11 (2025) — Anti-Distraction Policy) requires districts to restrict student personal-device use (district and charter policy required; prohibiting use during instructional hours is optional), so the district must have a written phone policy.
What is New Mexico's school cell phone law?
New Mexico's SB 11 required every school district and charter school to adopt, implement and publish a device policy by Aug. 1, 2025. It does not require a ban: a policy may prohibit use during instructional hours, but may not block assistive technology or medically necessary, disability or IEP use. See our full New Mexico guide for the statute, scope, effective date, and exceptions.
How can Albuquerque-area schools enforce a phone-free day?
Schools generally choose physical pouches (like Yondr), district-managed storage, or device-level software like LockedIn that locks the phone students already carry during school hours. Each district picks the method; check APS's student handbook for the one it uses.
How much does LockedIn cost for a district like APS?
LockedIn is priced per student, per year, and quoted per school or district based on enrollment and rollout — there are no pouches or hardware to buy and no per-unit replacement costs. Contact us for a written quote and a side-by-side comparison against a pouch program. Qualifying Title I schools may receive subsidized or fully covered access.