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Bring Your Own Device Program for Rising 6th Grade Students

Rising 6th Grade Families - The Holy Comforter Technology Department is busy planning for your students' entry into the middle school community at HCES! Holy Comforter requires middle school students to bring their own laptop computer to school each day as part of our Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program. As we prepare for the 2026-2027 school year, we are excited to announce a significant evolution in our BYOD program—the first major update since its inception in 2014.

BYOD Program 
To provide our teachers with state-of-the-art classroom management tools and to ensure the highest standard of digital safety for our students, HCES is transitioning to an all-Apple MacBook environment for the middle school. By moving to a 100% MacBook campus, we can leverage our Mosyle Mobile Device Management (MDM) system to its full potential.
This transition offers several key benefits for your child’s learning environment:
  • Enhanced Classroom Focus: Teachers will have the ability to monitor all student screens in real-time, ensuring students stay engaged and on-task.
  • Uncompromising Security: Every device will benefit from business-class security, including automated "Zero Trust" protection, malware defense, and robust web filtering provided by our MDM software.
  • Simplified Requirements: Technical standards have become easy to communicate.  An Apple MacBook capable of running a currently supported version of macOS (macOS 14 Sonoma or newer).  This requirement allows for technology staff to install our MDM software on the machines.
Macbook Neo
Our transition has benefited greatly from an exciting new release from Apple: the MacBook Neo. This powerful yet affordable machine is specifically designed to handle everything a student needs for their academic journey at an incredible value of just $603.

The HCES Advantage: Stress-Free Technology 
While you are welcome to provide a qualifying MacBook from home, we strongly encourage you to take advantage of our internal purchasing program. By ordering through HCES, you ensure your child has a "worry-free" experience. 
  • Full Coverage: Includes a 3-year warranty and accidental damage insurance.
  • Zero Downtime: If a repair is needed, we provide an immediate loaner so your student never misses a beat.
  • White-Glove Service: Our Tech Staff handles all repairs and maintenance—you won’t have to lift a finger.
  • All for $603. 
We are committed to making your student’s middle school years as smooth as possible.  Choosing a new MacBook Neo for them will help us provide the service you and your child deserve. However, if you do bring a MacBook from home, our Tech Department will equip it with Mosyle software necessary to secure and enhance the classroom experience.  

BYOD Options
Option 1:  MacBook Neo  (click here to place your order)
  • Purchase a MacBook Neo through our BYOD Order Form for $603.
    • Apple’s newest computer, specially designed for students, will be delivered at 6th Grade Student Orientation in August, the day before classes start.
    • Three-year equipment warranty
    • Three years of accidental damage insurance
    • MacBook loaner service to keep students working (if your student’s MacBook needs repairs, we will provide a loaner to your student in the interim).
    • Full-service, no cost repairs
  • MacBook Neo Payment Options:
    • OPTION A:  Single Payment - $603 
      • (Paid with order form)
    • OPTION B:  12 Monthly Payments - (total price of $653)
      • Order Deadline May 12th
      • $54.42/month starting in June 2026 and ending in May 2027 
      • The monthly charge will be added to your Blackbaud Tuition Management account.
    • May 15th Order Deadline
    • We will be ordering all the computers in May. We will prepare them and deliver them to students on the first day of the 2026-2027 school year. 
    • (click here to place your order)
Option 2:  Bring a MacBook from Home
  • If you would rather bring a MacBook from home, you are welcome to do so with the understanding that our Tech team will install Mobile Device Management (MDM) software that will allow teachers to monitor and control the computer when in their classroom.  
  • Our MDM provider is a company named Mosyle that specializes in K-12 education.  Installation of this software will protect the device with virus and malware protection, web browsing filter, as well as the management tools our teachers need in today’s classroom.
  • The one requirement for a laptop from home is that it is capable of running a supported version of Mac OS.  Currently, Mac OS 14 (Sonoma) and newer versions are supported by Apple.
If you have any questions about this program, please contact me, Paul Fitzgerald, Director of Technology, at pfitzgerald@hces.org. 
 
Thank you, and we look forward to welcoming your student to Middle School in the coming months!
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Holy Comforter Episcopal School is a top-rated private, Episcopal, coed school for PreK-8th Grade students located in Tallahassee, Florida.

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