AI at FCDS: Preparing Students for the Future
At Foothill Country Day School, we believe that preparing students for the future includes helping them understand both the opportunities and challenges of emerging technologies. Over the past year, our school has taken meaningful steps to thoughtfully address the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in education.
In September 2024, we formed an AI Committee tasked with researching the value of AI in education while also considering the risks. The committee concluded that AI will be an inevitable part of students’ futures. Therefore, we believe our graduates should leave FCDS not only with an understanding of how AI can be used responsibly, but also with an awareness of the harm that can come from its misuse.
As part of this work, we developed new AI policies for both teachers and students. Faculty members now have clear guidelines to ensure that AI is used purposefully, ethically, and safely. For example, teachers may use AI to help draft lesson plans, create rubrics, or generate ideas for classroom projects—but they must always review AI output critically, avoid entering confidential data, and ensure their own voice and professional judgment remain central
For students, the use of AI is limited and always under teacher direction. Our parent handbook outlines acceptable uses, such as researching complex topics, brainstorming creative projects, or experimenting with coding. At the same time, strict rules prohibit using AI for academic dishonesty, sharing personal information, or generating inappropriate content. These safeguards help ensure that students experience AI as a supportive tool rather than a shortcut.
Beyond policies, we have also begun implementing age-appropriate curriculum to build digital literacy and responsibility. Last year, we introduced a sixth-grade elective course on digital citizenship, focused on helping students navigate technology with integrity and safety. That program will continue this year, along with new lessons for seventh- and eighth-grade students that explore how AI can be used safely and productively.
Meanwhile, our faculty and staff are encouraged to use AI as a tool for efficiency and creativity. Teachers regularly rely on AI to help organize lessons or explore new instructional strategies. Administratively, AI is assisting with accreditation reporting, organizing school media assets, and supporting day-to-day operations.
These initiatives reflect a balance: we see AI not as a replacement for human creativity and judgment, but as a tool that—when used thoughtfully—can enrich teaching, streamline operations, and prepare students for the world ahead. By modeling responsible use with our faculty and introducing students to AI in a guided, age-appropriate way, Foothill Country Day School is equipping our community with the knowledge, discernment, and ethical foundation to thrive in an AI-influenced future. And if we could share one message with parents, it would be this: treat AI as a tool to guide thinking, not replace it. Just as we ask our teachers and students to use AI with care, we encourage families to do the same at home—verifying information, protecting privacy, and emphasizing creativity and critical thinking above convenience.
Want to learn more about Foothill Country Day School?
Foothill Country Day School is a preschool through 8th grade school in Claremont California. Founded in 1954 by Howell Webb as a private independent school, Foothill offers the best education in the Inland Empire. We are educating the next generation of society's leaders in an environment of inclusivity and respect for all cultures. No matter what their talents, or what paths our students choose, they have the tools to become leaders. Get to know Foothill on our website and on Facebook & Instagram.