Artificial intelligence is moving from pilot projects to everyday use across the Rye City School District this school year.
The district is expanding lessons and training on AI tools — Diffit, Magic School, ChatGPT, Gemini, and Notebook LM — at every grade level, from creative writing in elementary school to research and ethics in middle school, according to district administrators. The focus, they say, is on using AI to enhance learning while ensuring teachers and students understand how to use it responsibly.
“This year, what we’re really excited [about] is we’re looking to scale and start deepening the integration of AI,” said Director of Technology Kaitlyn Sassone during a planned presentation on AI at the Oct. 7 city Board of Education meeting. “You’ll really hear about the rollout of a lot of the tools that. … These are all wonderful tools, but they’re being integrated in a purposeful way.”
The district first piloted AI last school year, training staff and testing new tools in small classroom settings. This year’s approach represents what administrators described as a shift from experimentation to thoughtful implementation — embedding AI into lessons aligned with curriculum standards.
Teachers are using AI to personalize instruction and streamline classroom planning. Elementary teachers use Diffit, an AI tool designed for educators, to tailor reading materials and assessment questions to different learning levels, while older students are beginning to use Magic School AI, another tool for teachers, to refine research and writing skills under close supervision.
“Every classroom is made up of so many different learners,” said Kimberly Persaud, a district instructional technology coach for the elementary schools. Magic AI “is a tool that’s heavily utilized by teachers in order to target the needs of students in their classroom.”
Some subjects are already seeing creative applications at the elementary level, according to district administrators. Third graders at Osborn School are using Magic School to “interview” virtual versions of musicians and composers, connecting history and music in a hands-on way. Students then use AI to refine their writing and presentations, practicing both communication and digital literacy.
“It’s much more exciting to ask Beethoven a question than to just read about music that was written 200 years ago,” said Osborn School music teacher Anna Zagmar. “The idea is that the children are doing the big lifting of the learning and thinking, and then they’re using AI as kind of a partner or a secondary step in their learning.”
At Rye Middle School, lessons are focused on ethical use. Seventh and eighth graders are learning to spot bias and misinformation through social studies projects that include analyzing deepfake images and evaluating online sources.
Teachers said this approach encourages students to think critically about what AI produces rather than just relying on it to do their work.
“Our first three lessons were really focusing on shifting away from prohibition of using AI to the ethical use of AI in academics,” said social studies teacher Francesca Miller. “Once the students are sufficiently skeptical of AI, then we introduce them to lateral reading … to determine whether the information they’re gathering is verified or made up.”
Administrators said students also learn how to use AI appropriately through monitored platforms. Teachers can view all student interactions within Magic School, ensuring it’s being used appropriately. District-approved AI tools are also limited to those that comply with data privacy laws.
Open-ended platforms such as Open AI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini remain restricted to teachers. District officials said those programs are currently used only on the educator side because of data privacy rules and state regulations, with no plans to allow open use until the district can ensure proper safeguards are in place.
Beyond the classroom, the district is also expanding outreach of AI to families. A three-part “AI Parent University” series beginning Nov. 17 will demonstrate to parents how students are learning with AI in Rye schools and teach them how to guide responsible use at home.
“We really want to partner with our parents and make sure that they’re aware,” said Laura Santabarbara, assistant superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. “When the child isn’t having bumpers here at school, what does AI look like when there are no bumpers?”
The nearby Port Chester School District received a $50,000 state grant this year to expand its use of AI in classrooms. The funding will support blended learning initiatives and teacher training, with potential to grow to $250,000 in future phases.
