The CDSBEO sometimes receives requests for students in grades 9-12, to use their own personal laptops for classroom learning. The Board has established guidelines and standards to accommodate this request. Student personal laptops are optional, as the Board will always provide adequate laptops to students for classroom learning.

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Program for Students in Grades 9-12

This guide is intended to help parents and guardians select a suitable personal laptop for a student in grades 9-12 who chooses to bring their own device to school for classroom learning. The specifications below are intended for average student use, such as accessing learning platforms, using Microsoft 365 tools, completing assignments, participating in online activities, and conducting research.

Please note: These specifications are not intended to describe a higher-performance personal laptop for gaming, advanced media production, computer-aided design, or other demanding personal uses. Families seeking a laptop for those purposes should consider a higher-performance device than the minimum classroom specifications listed here. 

Schools are not liable for laptop damage or other losses (e.g. hardware, software and data). BYOD laptop support and maintenance are the responsibility of the student/parent and not the responsibility of the school board.

Minimum Suggested Laptop Specifications for Classroom Use

• Windows 11 laptop, preferably Windows 11 Pro installed
• 13-inch screen size or larger
• Intel Core i3 processor (12^th Generation or newer) or better
• 8 GB RAM or higher
• 128 GB SSD storage or higher
• Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E wireless capability
• Bluetooth capability
• Battery life sufficient for a full school day, ideally 10 hours or more
• Built-in keyboard, microphone, speaker and camera

Parents may choose any brand or model, provided the device meets or exceeds the minimum specifications listed above.

Recommended Features

• A 2-in-1 laptop or touchscreen model may be helpful for note-taking and interactive classroom activities.
• A protective sleeve or hard case is strongly recommended to reduce damage during travel to and from school.
• An extended warranty or accidental damage protection may be worthwhile for student use.
• A lightweight model is preferred so the device can be carried safely in a backpack.

Devices Not Recommended for BYOD Classroom Use

• Chromebooks – as Windows and Microsoft 365 are not fully compatible
• Devices with less than 8 GB RAM
• Devices without SSD storage
• Tablets without a physical keyboard
• Older or refurbished devices without a warranty
• Gaming laptops or high-performance personal laptops are not required for standard classroom use and may be heavier, more expensive, and less practical for daily school use.

Tips for Parents and Guardians

• Label the laptop and charger with the student’s name.
• Ensure the device is fully charged before school each day.
• Send the charger when needed but remind students to keep track of it. Power outlets for recharging may not be available.
• Turn off the laptop when not in use to preserve battery power.
• Purchase a protective case or sleeve for daily transport.
• Consider a warranty or accidental damage protection plan.
• Watch for back-to-school promotions from retailers such as Best Buy, Staples, and other authorized sellers.
• Confirm that the laptop can connect reliably to Wi-Fi and run common classroom applications before the first day of use.

Laptop Maintenance Tips

• Restart the laptop regularly and install Windows updates when prompted.
• Keep antivirus and security protections enabled.
• Avoid placing heavy books or other items on top of the laptop.
• Keep food and drinks away from the laptop to reduce the risk of spills and damage.
• Clean the screen and keyboard gently using appropriate electronics-safe cleaning materials.
• Report problems early to a parent or guardian so repairs can be arranged before the issue becomes more serious.

Overall Goal

The goal is to provide students with a reliable, durable, classroom-ready device that supports learning, creativity, communication, and daily schoolwork without requiring families to purchase a high-end personal laptop.  School laptops will continue to be available for students without BYOD laptops.

Student Device Purchase Options

The Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario has partnered with Lenovo to make laptops more affordable for families. This initiative gives students the opportunity to engage in modern, technology-enhanced learning at a discounted price.

Through this partnership, families receive:

• Access to essential learning resources
• The option for added warranty coverage
• Tools that help students build digital citizenship and social responsibility

To take advantage of this deal, visit the Lenovo website where you can view and purchase the educational laptops available. Discounted prices will be as shown on the Lenovo website.