FAQ

Bring Your Own MacBook- In order to provide students with access to Brentwood School’s vast digital resources and allow for ubiquitous technology-enriched opportunities both in and out of the classroom. All students in grades 6 through 12 are required to use their personal MacBooks in school.

Brentwood School’s use and reliance on digital resources and technologies continues to grow at an accelerated rate. In order to accommodate and foster more opportunities for student-centered, project-based activities and greater integration of technology into the fabric of our students’ academic life, our students greatly benefit from having their own MacBook to use each day in school and at home. Brentwood School believes that having this consistent access to technology will enhance students’ communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity as well as assist with organization and production in their classes.

For Fall 2024, (6-12) students will need a MacBook with a minimum of the following:

• 2021 or newer

• at least 8GB Ram

• at least 256GB Hard drive

• able to run MacOS Sonoma

Your MacBook must have at least 8 GB RAM and 256 GB hard drive, 2021 MacBook or newer. The computer must be able to run Apple’s Sonoma Operating System 14 or newer.

Purchasing a MacBook through BWS is a summer program. Emails go out in the spring to place an order and then MacBooks are available for pickup in August.

It is important that you have a case or shell for your MacBook so that you can protect it at all times as well as a working charging cable.

Brentwood School will make Microsoft Office 365 available to every student free of charge.

In order for students to install software, their account on the computer must have Administrator access. If you have concerns about this, please contact the EdTech department.

Students will need to have and know their AppleID and password to access iTunes, the AppStore and iCloud. Students take advantage of these tools to save or share content, install free software and access media. The AppleID is also necessary to enable Find My Mac on the laptop.

If you don’t already have and use an AppleID for the App Store and/or iTunes on another device (iPhone, iPad, home computer), you may want to consider setting up a family shared AppleID account. This is the only way to set up an AppleID for people under the age of 13. To better understand the purpose of and how to setup an AppleID visit this website.

Yes, the Brentwood School Technology User Agreement and policies (found in the handbook) apply to any device used on campus.

Students and/or their families are responsible for their personal computing devices at all times. The school will have loaner MacBooks available if your MacBook is being repaired. Brentwood School will also identify local reputable repair shops that may help you if you are in need of repair services.

Yes, you will have the opportunity to purchase a new MacBook laptop through Brentwood School and pay the school back on a 8-month, no interest payment plan.

Each family will pay for the MacBook that their student will bring to school. If you choose to purchase a MacBook through Brentwood School you will have a 8-month, no interest payment plan option.

Students receiving financial support will purchase their MacBook through Brentwood School and receive the same discount percentage that is outlined in their financial aid agreement.

Students receiving financial support will purchase their MacBook through Brentwood School and receive the same discount percentage that is outlined in their financial aid agreement.

Please contact the Educational Technology Department and we will discuss details as well as available resources to help your child meet the specifications.

Brentwood School will assist you in connecting your device to our school network and provide in-school internet access. We will not be responsible for the technical support of personal technology devices. However, faculty and staff will provide the students with information and guidance on how to keep their MacBooks up to date, in good working order, and offer basic technology problem solving.

Families must stress the responsibilities their children have when bringing their own MacBook to school. Any devices students bring to school are their sole responsibility.

Brentwood School takes no responsibility to search for lost or stolen devices nor is there any assumption of financial responsibility by Brentwood School for damaged, lost or stolen personal computing devices.

The typical lifespan of a MacBook is three to four years. Once a MacBook is more than four years old, it may not be able to run some of the latest software and/or operating systems, and the mechanics of the MacBook may deteriorate.

Proper maintenance and upkeep can help extend the life of a MacBook. Given this, students who get a new laptop in 7th Grade will most likely need to replace it at the start of 10th Grade.

• It may be wise to acquire theft or hazard insurance.

• If purchasing a new computing device for a child to use at school, we recommend purchasing the extended warranty. Details on Applecare+ is available on Apple’s website.

• It is highly recommended that the the laptop has a protective shell on it at all times.

The MacBook will be used on a regular basis as a tool to enhance the breadth and depth of your child’s learning experience both at school and at home.

A forgotten MacBook is a good opportunity to reinforce the value of being prepared and responsible. There will be other ways they are able to accomplish the learning goals that day.