At Pike, we are committed to helping students navigate a world increasingly shaped by technology by using these tools in innovative, effective, and responsible ways. As advancements in artificial intelligence continue to influence teaching and learning, we are excited about the potential it brings to our classrooms. We are working diligently to develop an approach to AI use that is grounded in our Mission, guided by our Values, and focused on supporting students’ academic growth and safety, while upholding our standards of instructional excellence.
This work begins with professional development and collaboration among our leadership, faculty, and staff, who are working together to establish a thoughtful, school-wide approach to integrating AI in both teaching and administrative practices.
Leadership and Vision
In the fall, our leadership team participated in a NAIS AI Strategy Lab, which helped shape a draft of Pike’s AI Position Statement. This document reflects our philosophy and guiding principles for the ethical use of AI, ensuring that technology is used as a tool to enhance the learning experience rather than replace critical thinking. We are continuing to refine the statement and look forward to sharing the final version with you soon.
Faculty and Staff Collaboration
Building on this foundation, a dedicated committee of faculty and staff was formed at the start of the 2025–2026 school year to guide AI integration across classrooms and professional work. The committee focuses on three key questions:
- How can teachers use AI to promote deeper learning, not just easier solutions?
- What guidelines do students need to understand the ethical and effective use of AI?
- What supports can we provide to students whose lives will be shaped by the increasing presence of AI?
AI in the Classroom: Use Emblems
One key outcome of Pike’s AI committee's work is the development of 12 AI Use Emblems to indicate when and how AI may be used in assignments. For most, AI will not be permitted, ensuring that the development of foundational skills remains central to teaching and learning. When AI use is appropriate, particularly in the upper grades, emblems on assignments will highlight specific applications, such as a “trainer” to support studying or a “tutor” to deepen understanding of complex concepts. We look forward to introducing the finalized emblems to students and families next year.
AI Literacy Across Grade Levels
The committee is also developing an AI literacy scope and sequence to ensure age-appropriate learning.
- Lower School: “Unplugged” activities that explore algorithms and patterns.
- Upper School: Students explore prompt engineering, bias detection, and ethical considerations.
Professional Development and Real-World Application
All faculty and staff will complete AI-centered professional development by the end of the 2025-2026 school year, focusing on learning how to use AI tools with an emphasis on data privacy and responsible use. Departmental teams are already beginning to explore ways AI can ethically enhance teaching, learning, and administrative operations.
AI in Practice
- In the classroom: eighth grade history students, as part of their civil rights unit and DC trip preparation, are creating memorials using detailed AI prompts based on established criteria to generate images of their designs. Each student has only two prompts to achieve a successful AI-generated result, and they must apply critical thinking to their understanding of effective prompting in order to achieve the desired outcome.
- In Operations: Staff are leveraging AI to increase efficiency in repetitive tasks, such as generating name tents for lunch tables.
We are excited about what we have accomplished this year and know that this work will continue to evolve based on the changing AI landscape. As we navigate these advancements in technology together, we remain committed to ensuring that relationships among students, teachers, and families continue to be our first priority.
AI Resources for Families from Common Sense Media and Day of AI
These videos and interactive activities help families explore AI together. Complementing the videos, a family toolkit is available, featuring conversation cards and activity guides. These resources are appropriate for all ages and designed to encourage critical thinking while making learning about AI fun and engaging.