Technology

Technology at AFS

At Abington Friends School, we embrace new and exciting possibilities fueled by technology, while also maintaining our rich history of intentional, reflective learning.

At Abington Friends School, technology serves as both a tool and a topic of inquiry. It is something we use thoughtfully, examine critically, and shape in alignment with our Quaker values. From our campus-wide work on artificial intelligence, digital literacy, and cell phone use to the creation of collaborative and creative spaces across disciplines, we approach technology as an evolving relationship, not a fixed destination.

In a world increasingly defined by algorithms and constant connectivity, AFS students learn to engage technology with curiosity, creativity, and discernment. They build skills in coding, robotics, media creation, and data literacy while also reflecting on when and why to use these tools. Our Digital Life Framework, Inquiry Labs, and AI Working Group invite students and faculty alike to explore emerging questions about the role of technology in our lives, our learning, and our communities.

We believe that balance is essential. Even as we embrace access and innovation, we center conversation, reflection, and human connection. The result is a learning community where students develop not only technical fluency but also the wisdom to use technology with purpose and integrity, preparing them to lead thoughtfully in a rapidly changing world.

Open and thoughtful access to technology and resources

At Abington Friends School, we understand how and why kids use technology. Technology, and all the access it provides is woven into the fabric of our daily lives and our students daily lives. As a community we collectively wrestle with the benefits and the drawbacks, and as a community we help each other learn from one another, from resources online and from people all across the world.

Contemporary tools is important for learning

Students, teachers, administrators and staff can all connect, share and create in an online system that works on laptops, desktops, Chromebooks, phones and iPads. We are truly device agnostic, and allow our community to choose the hardware that fits their learning style. With Google Apps we have a system that encourages and promotes reflection, a system that makes sharing, editing and revising a natural part of it’s environment. It is a perfect match for us as in institution.

Partnering with Parents and Families

AFS has cultivated our partnership with families by creating spaces for regular conversations with parents about digital health, safety, and how kids are using technology. We also explore what technology means to kids, how they use online tools and how to start conversations about what they are doing online. Through this partnership parents develop skills they can use at home to help kids navigate an increasingly complex and highly connected world.

Technology Access for AFS Students

Skill Development in Lower School

1-to-1 Program for Middle and Upper School Students

Google Apps for Education

Investment in Infrastructure and Tools

Abington Friends School is committed to providing a seamless, reliable, and forward-thinking technology environment that supports both learning and daily operations. Our infrastructure is designed to be fast, secure, and easy to use, ensuring that every member of our community can connect, create, and collaborate without barriers.

Key elements of our technology ecosystem include:

Comprehensive campus-wide Wi-Fi coverage
A dedicated laptop for every teacher
Support for iPads, Macs, Chromebooks, and PCs
Specialized tools such as drones, 3D printers, and CAD workstations
Access to the Adobe Creative Cloud suite of tools
A robotics lab that fosters design thinking and innovation
Secure, cloud-based systems for anytime, anywhere access
Convenient printing from almost any device for Middle and Upper School students
A Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program in the Upper School that promotes student agency and flexibility

Our Technology Office is open, approachable and responsive. We are not only here to keep systems running smoothly but to help every member of our community feel confident and supported as they navigate the tools that power teaching, learning and connection.

Lower School

In the Lower School, students engage in meaningful and authentic uses of technology that grow naturally out of the curriculum. The tools we use depend on what we are studying and what we hope to create, ensuring that technology always serves learning, not the other way around.
A central focus of our program is media literacy. We help students understand that media messages are created for a purpose and teach them to analyze how technology shapes what we see and believe. This early foundation nurtures curiosity, critical thinking, and thoughtful participation in a connected world.

Lower School students explore a wide range of digital tools and creative platforms, including online portfolio development, programming with Scratch, podcasting, stop-motion animation, LittleBits, iMovie, and GarageBand. Teachers model intentional technology use—demonstrating both innovation and balance—and guide students in applying their skills across projects that involve research, analysis, design thinking, and creative expression.

Through these experiences, our youngest learners develop not only technological confidence but also the habits of reflection and discernment that will guide their digital lives in the years ahead.

Middle School

In the Middle School (grades 5–8), students build upon the foundational skills developed in the Lower School and begin to use technology in deeper, more creative, and collaborative ways.

Every Middle School student receives a Chromebook, providing a consistent platform for research, creation, and communication across all subjects. This one-to-one program supports students’ growth as independent, responsible, and reflective digital learners.

Google Workspace for Education provides a collaborative environment where teachers and students share ideas, revise work, and curate digital portfolios that reflect learning over time. Students also work with larger data sets in science, using spreadsheets to organize, analyze, and interpret information, and explore digital tools that support creativity and problem-solving.

Across the curriculum, technology serves as a tool for inquiry and innovation. In history, students use Minecraft to reconstruct ancient cities and collaborate in shared virtual worlds. In art, they experiment with photography, video production, and digital design—discovering new ways to express ideas through technology. Seventh-grade courses deepen students’ understanding of programming, graphic design, and digital citizenship, helping them navigate online communities with confidence and empathy.

Through these experiences, Middle School students learn to use technology with creativity, discernment, and care; laying the groundwork for confident, ethical, and purposeful engagement in the Upper School and beyond.

Upper School

In the Upper School, students take increasing ownership of their learning and their relationship with technology.

Through our Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program, students may choose the device that best fits their learning style—whether an iPad, Chromebook, Mac, or PC. As long as it supports Chrome and Google Workspace, the choice is theirs. This intentional flexibility encourages students to understand what works best for them and prepares them to make informed technology decisions in college and beyond.

Upper School students have access to a wide range of technology-rich opportunities, including AP Computer Science, robotics and engineering courses, and hands-on experience through our student-run Help Desk. Our competitive robotics team and 3D printing club offer real-world problem-solving and collaboration, while the Technical Theater Department provides authentic experience in lighting, sound design, stage management, and production technology.

Students can also participate in our AI Working Group, where they explore emerging questions about ethics, creativity, and the future of artificial intelligence in education. Many Upper School students collaborate directly with the Technology Department through internships, competitions, and campus events that connect them with the broader tech and innovation community.

Our faculty, all equipped with MacBook Airs, model continual learning and innovation by integrating technology meaningfully into their teaching. Canvas serves as the central platform for coursework, assignments, and communication, allowing students to collaborate, manage their progress, and stay connected across classes and projects.

The AFS Upper School is a dynamic community of curious, capable, and creative learners—students who not only know how to use technology, but who think deeply about how it shapes their world and their role within it.

Lower School teacher helping students on computer in the classroom

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