Crystal and AINavigating the Future Together

Charting our course through innovation, integrity, and intentional learning.

Our Artificial Intelligence (AI) Philosophy

At Crystal, we view artificial intelligence (AI) not as a shortcut to efficiency, but as an opportunity for meaningful growth. Our approach is one of wayfinding—charting our course in real time, iterating constantly, and embracing the kind of experimentation that comes with navigating uncharted territory.

Grounded in our core values of leading with humility and seeking growth challenges, we are committed to helping students develop the foundational skills of thinking, writing, and problem-solving that will serve them for life.

We believe that authentic human learning happens through productive struggle, not around it. AI is a powerful tool our students must learn to understand, question, and engage with critically—but it will never replace the deep work of learning itself.

Crystal takes a developmentally responsive approach to AI, meeting students where they are. In Middle School, we prioritize awareness and literacy—helping students understand the "why" behind AI tools before focusing on the "how." In Upper School, students advance to AI fluency, engaging with research-grade tools within clear educational frameworks. At every level, the goal remains the same: ensuring students build the foundational human skills of thinking, writing, and problem-solving before integrating AI into their learning.
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Our goal at Crystal is not to have students use AI for the sake of efficiency or output, but rather to help them understand, question, and engage with it as a powerful emerging technology that will shape the world they're entering.
— Kelly Sortino, Head of School
The Crystal AI Principles Framework

One framework, anchored in who we are

Crystal's approach to generative AI is a unified framework—aligned with our mission, core values, and 2030 Strategic Plan—that brings together three commitments.
01 / Position

AI Position Statement

We recognize both the powerful potential and concerning pitfalls of AI, and we prepare students to use it ethically, effectively, and for positive impact.
02 / Policy

Policies & Tools

AI use aligns with our definition of academic honesty. Flint is our primary, monitored platform, guided by AI Use Statements and a Student Checklist.
03 / Practice

Principles in Practice

Six core values translate belief into the everyday work students do in every classroom.
See the six principles arrow_downward
Principles in Practice

AI Principles in Practice

Each of Crystal's six Core Values shapes a guiding principle for AI—and a clear practice students can see in their everyday work. Select a value to see how belief becomes practice.
01Celebrate ScholarshipWe believe AI should augment, not replace, the human-centered work of authentic scholarship.expand_more
In Practice
We encourage students to use AI to enhance clarity, spark ideas, and test understanding—but the final work must be unmistakably their own thinking and expression.
02Seek Growth ChallengesWe believe AI should support resilience and persistence without removing the productive struggle that fuels growth.expand_more
In Practice
We expect students to engage deeply with analysis, problem-solving, and reflection—using AI to build confidence and extend their reach after they've put in the intellectual effort.
03Foster Kindness & InclusionWe believe AI must be used ethically: acknowledging bias, reducing inequities, and strengthening community.expand_more
In Practice
We select tools that expand access and equity, and we urge students to critically examine and question AI's academic, ethical, environmental, and societal impacts.
04Strive for BalanceWe believe AI should enhance productivity without undermining wellness, creativity, or human connection.expand_more
In Practice
We encourage students to use AI with discernment: setting boundaries, managing workload, and choosing when not to use it in order to preserve focus, well-being, and collaboration.
05Engage with EnthusiasmWe believe AI can unlock innovation and inspire new ways of learning.expand_more
In Practice
We support students in exploring AI with curiosity and creativity: using it to discover possibilities, expand imagination, and deepen understanding.
06Lead with HumilityWe believe AI requires openness, reflection, and a willingness to evolve—individually and collectively.expand_more
In Practice
We expect our community to reflect on its AI use, learn from successes and missteps, and contribute to a culture of dialogue, feedback, and continuous improvement.

Crystal's AI Journey

In the tradition of wayfinding, understanding where you've been is essential to knowing where you are—and where you're going. Since the release of ChatGPT in November 2022, Crystal has moved with intention, developing policies, piloting tools, and investing in professional learning to ensure our community navigates this rapidly evolving landscape together.
2022
  • ChatGPT Released: Crystal begins conversations about generative AI impacts on education.
2022–24
  • Policy Development: AI Acceptable Use Policy developed and included in all course expectations.
2023–24
  • Expert Partnership: Collaboration with Eric Hudson to develop AI position statement and policy commitments.
  • Flint AI Launch: Vetted, siloed AI platform launched for student use.
2024–25
  • Stanford Partnership: Year-long professional development with Stanford's AI Tinkering begins.
  • Academic Integrity Focus: Department chairs deep-dive on integrity, ethics, and responsible AI use.
  • Transformative Teaching Conference: Inaugural conference hosts 100+ educators.
  • Employee AI Mandate: School-wide requirement for all employees to integrate AI into daily work.
2025–26
  • AI Town Hall: Parent education event launched; AI checklists and guidelines released.
  • AI Deep Dive: ASC-led sessions on AI and creativity, ethics, bias, wellness, and productive struggle.
  • NotebookLM Rollout: Source-grounded AI tool enabled for Upper School students.
  • Middle School Math Pilot: NotebookLM pilot launched in select Math 1 sections.
  • Stanford CSET Partnership: Expanded collaboration with Stanford's Center to Support Excellence in Teaching.
  • Parent Events: Evening sessions with author Jenny Anderson and Stanford's Victor Lee extend AI learning into the home.
Ongoing
  • Bay Area AI Cohort: Ongoing collaboration with peer independent schools on shared AI practices and resources.

AI in the Classroom

Crystal's approach to AI in the classroom is both teacher-driven and student-centered. Our faculty experiment with new tools, identify what works, and codify best practices into a Crystal-specific framework. Across disciplines, AI is introduced within clear educational frameworks and one guiding principle: these tools should augment learning and amplify student thinking, never replace the human relationships and productive struggle at the heart of a Crystal education.
Crystal students using laptops during a science lab
Science

Vetting sources in 9th Grade Biology

Biology weaves AI across all eight units—using it as a study and review tool while teaching students to critically evaluate AI responses and dig into the original, peer-reviewed sources behind them.
"It teaches them to be more self-sufficient rather than relying on the teacher to answer everything for them."
Robert · Science Faculty
Crystal students talking together
World Language

A personal oral-language tutor

Across French, Spanish, and Mandarin, Flint AI gives students unlimited, low-pressure speaking practice and real-time feedback—building pronunciation, confidence, and proficiency outside of class.
"This will level the field for students for whom speaking in the target language requires more time and practice."
Violeta · World Language Faculty
A student writing and tuning code on a laptop
Computer Science

Industry-ready coding, foundations first

In Python and computer science courses, students practice AI-assisted coding the way the industry actually works—while still building foundational proficiencies, alongside lessons on data literacy and ethics.
"Use of AI in coding is a real-world development I want to prepare students for—in a way that still lets them develop coding proficiencies."
Alexis · Computer Science Faculty

The Power of Productive Struggle

Empowering students to thrive is at the heart of everything Crystal does—and AI doesn't change that. In fact, it makes the question of productive struggle more important than ever. Real learning happens when students are challenged: when they wrestle with difficult problems, push through uncertainty, and emerge stronger on the other side. Education researchers call this "desirable difficulties"—the effortful work that feels hard in the moment but leads to deeper, more lasting understanding. Our role is to ensure that AI augments this process, never replaces it, so that students develop the skills, resilience, and agency they'll need to thrive well beyond our classrooms.
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When students turn to AI to bypass that process of struggle and growth, they miss out on essential opportunities to strengthen their academic independence.
— Crystal Judiciary Committee

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Crystal partner with parents and guardians around AI?expand_more
Crystal believes that meaningful AI education extends beyond the classroom. We are committed to keeping families informed and engaged as partners in this work—providing resources, programming, and ongoing communication so that parents and guardians can support and reinforce what students are learning at school. From parent education events and focus groups to downloadable guides and checklists, we equip families with the tools and language to continue productive conversations about AI at home.
What AI tools are approved for student use at Crystal?expand_more
Crystal takes a careful, intentional approach to approving AI tools. Flint AI remains our primary platform for student use—it's a siloed system designed exclusively for education that Crystal can monitor, allowing us to ensure student data privacy and safety. In February 2026, we expanded access to include NotebookLM, a source-grounded AI tool from Google Labs. Upper School students now have access to NotebookLM, and we've launched a pilot in select Middle School Math 1 sections. In advanced courses like Advanced Topics in Biology, students also use research-grade tools such as Storm and Elicit.
What about ethical concerns around AI training data?expand_more
We teach discernment: choosing the right tool for each task and understanding when AI is necessary versus alternatives. Students engage in explicit conversations about ethical considerations, including issues of copyright and consent.
How will policies stay current as AI evolves?expand_more
We survey students regularly, gather faculty feedback, and maintain professional development partnerships that keep us informed. Our "wayfinding" approach means we iterate constantly rather than waiting for perfect solutions.
How does Crystal address the emotional and psychological risks of AI chatbots?expand_more
We're developing digital wellness curriculum and advisory lessons specifically addressing AI companion risks. Flint's restricted, monitored environment provides safeguards, and we're planning parent education sessions on this topic.
How does AI affect college applications?expand_more
Crystal's college counseling team works directly with students to ensure they understand and follow college guidelines around AI use in the application process. Many colleges—including Boston University and Georgia Tech—have published clear guidance: AI may be used for tasks like shortening text to meet character limits, but should never generate essays. Admissions officers are looking for authentic student voice, lived experience, and original perspective—qualities that AI cannot replicate.

This is the start of Your Journey

Contact

Admission Questions:  admission@crystal.org

Middle School

10 Davis Drive, Belmont, CA 94002
650-645-1000

Upper School

400 Uplands Drive, Hillsborough, CA 94010
650-342-4175
Nondiscriminatory Policy: Crystal Springs Uplands School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

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