“In these efforts, Ashbrook’s goal for AI is the same as for any other technology we employ: to use it purposefully and not to replace teaching or thinking, to promote AI literacy, and to prepare students to lead thoughtfully in a world where AI will be an increasingly present part of their lives..”
Of the many thoughts that might come to mind when AI is mentioned, one comment that will never be uttered by anyone paying attention is, “it’s a flash in the pan likely to have minimal short term impact and eventually go the way of that annoying paperclip office assistant that Microsoft once tried.” Although a very early foray into the world of AI at about the time David and Cecilia Gore were breaking ground for Ashbrook, 30 years of evolution has led to AI resources that are just about the exact opposite of Clippy, and available to… everyone.
In this spirit, over the course of 2025-26, Ashbrook School’s academic Leadership Team participated in a four part webinar series hosted by the Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS) entitled Leading in an AI World. This course was a core part of our efforts to better understand the use of AI in schools and to help us build thoughtful AI policies, implement strategic foresight, and navigate complex use scenarios safely and ethically.
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In addition, several parents met monthly with Doc and Ms. Bennett, for a book discussion focused on Matt Britton’s Generation AI (our final meeting is on 6/10, 3:30-4:30 on the Commons, and the topics are The Alpha Buyer, Futures and Fortune of Generation Alpha, The AI tools that Power Me, and Conclusions… and we’ll have cookies).
On top of this, several of us participated in a series of talks hosted by PRAx Center on the OSU campus and shared readings we came across at work or in the news, creating an archive for community use, here. This is in addition, of course, to our publishing a staff AI use policy two years ago, which will continue to be revised as the technology relentlessly evolves.
Through the NWAIS webinar, periodic readings, and research, Ashbrook’s teachers and administrators engaged in a thoughtful process to develop a student AI use policy that reflects our mission, the value we place on critical thinking, and the demands of a rapidly changing technological landscape. By the time students return for the new school year, we will be ready to unveil this policy document in the form of a comprehensive, developmentally appropriate framework designed to help our teachers as they guide our students’ use of AI in a responsible, ethical, mission aligned, developmentally appropriate, and effective manner.
To support our parents as important partners in this ongoing work, we will make the time to educate our community on this initial draft, help them to understand Ashbrook’s relationship with AI, and solicit their ideas as we look to publish version 2.0. In the interim, parents should know that the current draft emphasizes that
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AI should support learning, not replace thinking.
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students will be expected to engage in their own critical thinking and problem-solving before turning to technology for assistance.
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student privacy and data security remain non-negotiable, with clear expectations about protecting personal and school-related information.
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the policy takes a developmental approach, recognizing that younger and older students require different levels of exposure, guidance, and responsibility.
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teachers play an active role in determining when and how AI may be used in the classroom, ensuring that technology serves educational goals rather than driving them.
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the policy focuses on character, integrity, and critical thinking, helping students learn to evaluate information carefully and use emerging technologies responsibly.
In these efforts, Ashbrook’s goal for AI is the same as for any other technology we employ: to use it purposefully and not to replace teaching or thinking, to promote AI literacy, and to prepare students to lead thoughtfully in a world where AI will be an increasingly present part of their lives. With questions, concerns, or offers to help, kindly be in touch at info@ashbrookschool.org.