iPad Program FAQ's

You can learn about the iPad directly from Apple, please click here to visit the Apple website to learn more about the latest iPad release. Numerous articles can also be found online about the use of iPads in schools. Apple provides a free iPad User Guide which can be downloaded onto the iPad or a personal computer.

We distribute iPads to new students prior to the start of the school year in early August or before classes begin per a schedule which will be advertised in advance to families. If you are unable to pick up your iPads during that time, you should notify the Main Office and an alternative time will be determined.

No. We want every student to be on an equal footing in each class as s/he learns to use the iPads.

 Yes, there is a way to set up parental controls for loading apps and making any changes to the iPad. Please click here to visit the Apple website to learn how to setup parental controls.

The school (namely, the administration and faculty) may inspect its iPads assigned to any student at any time while on campus. If such inspection reveals inappropriate use of the iPad in violation of the school’s iPad Use Agreement, the student will be subject to disciplinary action and the iPad may be reformatted by the school.

Yes. However, we may want to update software and perform other maintenance and may require that iPads be turned in to the Information Technology Department for a short time.

No. To better control students’ online access (e.g., logging on through sites through the school’s protected wireless network), only those iPads issued by the school can be used on campus.

While on campus, the student iPads will be filtered exactly like our current computers are. Remember that no Internet filtering is 100% effective. The filtering software will, at times, filter sites that it shouldn't and fail to filter sites that it should. However, for the most part, it does help cut down on students browsing inappropriate Internet sites.

One thing to keep in mind is that while the iPads are on campus, they will be filtered. However, when they leave campus and our control, they will no longer be filtered. Please click here to visit the Apple website to learn how to setup parental controls.

If an iPad is broken, the student must bring the iPad to the Learning Resource Center for inspection. If it is lost, the student will need to complete a written report which must be signed by a parent. Accidental damage, malfunction, and loss are covered as described in the iPad Use Agreement (deductibles will apply and will range from $150 for repair to $500 for loss).  Maintenance will cover any defects in the iPad per the agreement.  This coverage includes the iPad battery, but will not cover damage caused by misuse. The school will be providing cases to help protect the iPad. Replacement cases are available at cost if needed.

The school doesn’t require that students have Internet access at their homes. However, access to the wireless Internet is recommended. For example, wireless Internet access will allow students to do research at home as well as to be able to email back and forth with their teachers through the iPad. The iPad that St. Francis is going to provide to students won't have 3G service (cell service) and it won't require any monthly Internet access fee to use. However, the student will need access to some sort of Wi-Fi service to connect to the Internet. If students don't have Wi-Fi access at home, they will still be able to get on the Internet at school and at many local businesses (e.g., coffee shops and restaurants). Also, many public buildings like libraries have free wireless access available.

While the iPad was never intended as a complete computer replacement, the iPad should be able to handle the vast majority of a student's needs. Whether or not a student has access to a personal laptop or desktop computer, it will be necessary for the student to synchronize (“sync”) the iPad’s data to the “iCloud” provided by Apple. Students will be given information and be trained about syncing their iPads to “the cloud”. A fair amount of online storage is free, but charges are assessed for large amounts of data (e.g., extensive music and/or photo libraries).  

Syncing or not syncing will not affect how the iPad is used. It just provides a backup for everything that is saved on the iPad in the event that something should happen to it. Syncing to the “iCloud” also facilitates a quick retrieval of apps and data to replacement iPads. 

Not all textbooks are currently available for all of our classes. In some instances, pdf (“read only”) versions of current textbooks may be available and may be used in place of the paper text. These will be identified on the school’s booklist. We will continue to transition to fully interactive electronic textbooks in a thoughtful manner to make sure our students are using the best learning resources available, and at a reasonable cost. Check the school’s booklist for which electronic texts (“e-texts,” “e-books,” or “e-versions”) which will be “required” or “choice” (namely, the family may choose either the identified paper copy or the identified e-copy).

Most novels for summer reading are available electronically and every student will have the option of using the electronic version of those novels.

On the school’s booklist, all other reading books and textbooks (i.e., those used during the school year) will be clearly identified as “Required” (only version acceptable) or “Choice” (select hardcover or e-book). In some cases, a specific e-book version (with a specific identification number) will be identified as the only acceptable e-book version for a class. Vendors who offer these books will be clearly identified.

During the start of each school year, each freshmen student will be provided the use of an iPad, charging adapter, charging cable, and a case/cover. While many apps are free, families should budget about $25 - $50 for other apps that may be needed throughout the year. The cost of e-texts and e-books is the responsibility of the family. Students will also need to have access to an inexpensive pair of headsets (earphones with a microphone) which they will use with the iPad--the school will make some suggestions about particular headsets. Along with the iPad, maintenance and repair are provided by the school per the conditions identified in the iPad Use Agreement. The school retains ownership of its iPads but may occasionally, at its discretion, offer used iPads for sale to families.

If a student leaves St. Francis before graduation, the iPad, power adapter, charging cable, and cover must be returned to the school in good condition, as described in the iPad Use Agreement. Privately owned apps and e-versions of books will be available to the owner if the iPad has been synced to a personal computer or to “the cloud”.  The family is welcome to inquire if the iPad is for sale at the time.

St. Francis is not able to offer different models of iPads or additional iPads through this program. It is at the discretion of the school to determine which students will be receiving which models each school year.

If there is a software problem with an iPad being used in this program, the iPad should be returned to the Learning Resource Center with the necessary completed report so that the school can send the unit off for repair. The turn-around time for repairs is usually 3 to 5 days. During this time, we will supply a loaner iPad so that there is no disadvantage to the student.  While St. Francis will not have an unlimited supply of loaner iPads, we will do our best to see that one is available.  As long as the iPad has been synced to a personal computer or the cloud, the loaner iPad can be set up exactly like the original with no loss of data and the student can continue using the iPad as before.

While an Apple ID account will be required with the iPad, it does not have to be new. Any existing Apple ID account can be configured on the iPad. It is even possible to have more than one device attached to the same Apple ID account and still be able to have different configurations on each device. For example, siblings can download the same app to their individual iPads from the same Apple ID account, having purchased the app only once (allowed up to five devices).

A credit card can be used to create and access an Apple ID account, but it is not required. Another approach is to buy Apple Store gift cards to cover purchases through Apple ID. Once the gift card amount has been used, no further purchases can be made until another gift card is acquired.

Another way to control this is to attach the iPad to a parent's Apple ID account and not give the student the password. When purchasing from App Store, a password is always required. If the student does not have the password, they will need the parents’ collaboration to make a purchase.

In addition, there are ways to set up parental controls on the iPad if you wish. A parent can set up the iPad to require a special password to make any changes to the configuration of the iPad, including making an app or music purchase without affecting the use of the iPad in any way.

Here’s an informational link about setting up an iPad account without a credit card: Apple ID account without a credit card.

At each point in the acquisition process, St. Francis will determine which version of the iPad it will obtain, based on features, costs, and availability. For 2022-2023, the recently released (10th Gerneration) iPad will be purchased for the Freshman class.

For now, you can contact the school’s Information Technology Director located in the Learning Resource Center. The Director will respond to inquiries in the order in which they are received.