26-27 Family Owned 1-to-1 iPad Program

The iPad program began in September of 2013. Every student in Grades 8 is required to own an iPad to use in the classroom, to collaborate with students and teachers, conduct research, and complete homework assignments. It is an integral part of each student's work each day.

The iPad is the leading tablet in the industry and a popular choice in many schools. The iPad’s instant-on capability, durability, battery life, and ease of use make it a great choice for mobile students.

No, families with students in Grades 8 are responsible for purchasing the iPad. Please make sure to check the minimum requirements before purchasing.

Updated 6-10-25

26-27 School Year iPad Requirements Below
Please see the "Is there anything else I will need to purchase with the iPad" section for additional items for the 26-27 school year
iPad Minimum Requirements:

• iPad Air 4th Generation or newer
• iPad 9th Generation or newer
• iPad Pro 11 inch -  2nd Generation or newer
• iPad Pro 12.9 inch -  4th Generation or newer
• 32GB
• iPad Mini does not meet requirements

iPad Recommended Requirements:

• iPad 11 inch display - A16
• 256 GB

The iPad Mini does not meet our minimum requirements. 

Yes, Pike will provide basic troubleshooting, as well as training on how to use the iPad efficiently. Families will be responsible for troubleshooting and repairs beyond basics.

We strongly recommend that families purchase a cover. A cover will help protect the iPad in case of an accident, as well as support the iPad in different positions when doing work.

This a personal preference. Some students, especially those who are touch typists, may find a keyboard useful. Others will be comfortable using the on-screen keyboard.

Yes, each grade 8 student will need a stylus like an Apple Pencil, see recommendations below.  Please make sure the stylus is compatible with the specific model of iPad you own.  

• Apple Pencil - Recommended
• Logitech Digital Pencils
• Hatoku Stylus

Families are responsible for accidental damage and technical support. We recommend that families purchase insurance for the iPad that includes accidental damage. Apple, as well as other companies, offer an extended warranty. Click here for more information on Apple’s extended warranty.

Pike recommends that families purchase insurance that includes accidental coverage. There are many options for insurance. Some include theft and some do not. Be sure to understand the coverage agreement before you sign up.

There will be a standard set of apps that all students will need for learning at Pike. We will post this list in August.

App purchases will be the responsibility of the family. A list of required apps will be provided in August. Additional apps may be required throughout the year.

Not all of the publishers provide digital texts. Students will be given information about downloading text books during the first few days of school.

Wireless Internet access will be very helpful for students. They will need access to the Internet in order to complete assignments and access online information. We recommend families have Internet access. 

As long as the iPad meets the minimum requirements. See the minimum requirements question on this page.

Students will need space on their iPad in order to store school work and school-related apps. If students choose to put non-school-related information (pictures, music, movies) on their iPad, they will need to make sure there is enough space for the school-related apps and files.
 

• The biggest advantages of the iPad are that it is an internet-connected mobile device with a touch-screen and camera/video camera.
• Students are mobile--moving from class to class--and the iPad is light and easy to transport, yet it can connect to the internet, create documents, take and edit pictures, annotate pdfs, make and edit movies, and perform as an eReader.
• Students can read books, take notes, highlight text and bookmark pages, search a book, have a section read to them aloud, and have a word instantly defined.
• iPad battery power lasts an entire school day.
• iPad is easy to learn and use.

Here are just a few specific examples.

In all Classes

• Screencast - students can create screencasts to show what they know. They can make Khan Academy-style videos quickly and easily to show their understanding of content.
• Likewise, students can create these types of videos to teach others.

Music Class

• Students use Garage Band to create and edit music.

Math Class

• TI-Nspire - This math app, combined with touch features, is very powerful.

Science Class

• Students can take pictures of experiment results to keep track over time and include in lab reports.

• The iPad supports student-centered learning by giving students a powerful tool to collaborate, communicate, search for information, and evaluate information.
• We want students to become independent learners. The iPad is a tool that will allow them to search out information and begin to learn how to learn and also relearn information.
• We want to teach students to communicate with a global audience and to get and give feedback on their work from a global community.
• The National Council of Teachers of English recommends that 21st century readers and writers need to:
  • develop proficiency with the tools of technology.
  • build relationships with others to pose and solve problems collaboratively and cross-culturally.
  • design and share information for global communities to meet a variety of purposes.
  • manage, analyze, and synthesize multiple streams of simultaneous information.
  • create, critique, analyze, and evaluate multimedia text.
  • attend to the ethical responsibilities required by these complex environments.