Back to School, Back to Strategy: The Top Academic Trends to Watch

As families prepare for a new academic year, the classroom landscape is undergoing rapid change. From AI tools shaping the way students learn, to debates over the role of smartphones in school, to increased attention on the cognitive skills that support learning, 2025 is a year of transformation. And with transformation comes the need for strategy.

Here are three major academic trends families should keep an eye on this year—and what they mean for student success.

The Rise of AI in the Classroom

Artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT are changing the way students and teachers approach learning.

The U.S. Department of Education recently released guidance encouraging schools to explore the use of AI in improving student outcomes—so long as implementation is guided by ethical standards and human oversight. Schools across the country are already acting on that guidance. A Gallup survey found that nearly 60% of public school teachers used AI tools last year, with many reporting time saved on tasks like lesson planning and grading.

But how should students use AI?

C2 Education supports the use of generative AI as a tool to support—not replace—learning. Used thoughtfully, tools like ChatGPT can help students brainstorm ideas, generate outlines, or gather background information for research. But we firmly believe that generative AI is no replacement for the student’s own writing. After all, writing is more than an academic requirement: it’s a cornerstone skill.

Good writing isn’t just about meeting a word count. It teaches clarity, structure, analysis, and voice—all vital skills for success in college and beyond. Overreliance on AI to write for students can limit their growth as communicators.

Why does this matter? Because strong written communication is one of the most desired attributes employers seek. In fact, approximately 73% of employers report that writing skills are essential when evaluating candidates, placing them among the top competencies behind leadership and teamwork skills.

AI can be a powerful academic assistant, but nurturing students’ own writing skills must remain a top priority.

Strategy for Parents:Have open conversations about when and how it’s appropriate to use AI tools. Encourage your child to treat AI as a starting point, not a substitute, for original thought. You can even review drafts together to help distinguish between AI-generated ideas and authentic student voice. The goal is to help students use AI to sharpen their thinking, not to skip the thinking process altogether.

Digital Wellness and the Debate Over Phone Bans

In July 2025, New York joined a growing list of states implementing school-wide restrictions on cell phones. Nationwide, many local districts have moved to limit or ban cell phones in the classroom as well. In fact, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, 77% of public schools already have classroom phone policies in place.

Public support for these policies is growing: a Pew Research Center survey found that nearly 3 in 4 U.S. adults support phone restrictions during class time, and close to half support full-day bans. It’s easy to see why. Cell phones can be a major source of distraction in the classroom, disrupting attention, diminishing peer interaction, and limiting deep engagement with material.

C2 Education supports efforts to reduce or eliminate phone usage during learning time. We’ve seen firsthand how digital distractions can hinder academic performance.

That said, phones and technology are also a central part of student life—and schools must acknowledge that reality. At C2, we’ve adapted our programs to reflect this shift, offering digital SAT prep, online college essay curriculum, and flexible virtual or hybrid sessions to meet students where they are.

The key is balance. Students must learn to navigate a digital world effectively—but they also need to disconnect and engage with the world around them. Or as many students would say, they need to “touch grass.”

It’s not just about removing phones from classrooms; it’s about helping students build healthy tech habits that serve them both academically and emotionally.

Strategy for Parents: Create a family tech policy that reflects both structure and flexibility. Consider setting phone-free zones during homework time, enforcing bedtime tech curfews, or modeling healthy digital habits yourself. At the same time, talk with your child about whyunplugging matters—so they learn to value attention, presence, and real-world connection as part of their academic success.

Executive Function: The Hidden Skills Behind Academic Success

Academic success depends on more than just knowing the material. Increasingly, educators are focusing on executive function (EF)—the mental skills that help students manage time, set goals, stay organized, and adapt to challenges.

These aren’t just “nice to have” skills. Research shows that executive function plays a critical role in everything from reading comprehension to problem solving to emotional regulation.

And the good news? These skills can be taught and improved.

From a young age, students can benefit from explicit instruction in goal setting, time management, task initiation, and metacognition (the ability to think about how they think). These skills are especially important in an academic environment that’s increasingly digital and self-paced.

C2 Education integrates executive function development into our academic programs—emphasizing not just what students learn, but how they learn it. For students juggling AP classes, standardized testing, and extracurriculars, learning to manage time and tasks effectively is often the difference between stress and success.

As schools increasingly emphasize independent learning and digital literacy, strong executive function skills are more important than ever.

Strategy for Parents: Build executive function into your child’s daily routine by encouraging them to plan their week, reflect on what’s working (and what isn’t), and take responsibility for time and task management. Even small habits—like using a planner, setting reminders, or doing a five-minute debrief after homework—can train long-term mental discipline. Partner with your child rather than micromanage: your job is to coach, not control.

Staying Grounded in a Shifting Landscape

This school year, the tools, challenges, and expectations of academic life may look different, but the foundation of student success remains the same: strong skills, meaningful habits, and a supportive learning environment.

Families should approach this year with a strategy. That means embracing useful innovations like AI while setting limits. It means using technology to enhance learning, not interrupt it. And it means building the core skills students need to thrive in any academic environment, digital or otherwise.

Because no matter how classrooms change, the goal remains the same: helping students grow into confident, capable, and curious learners.