The weather is still balmy and hot, but Fall is quickly approaching and students are going back to school, in-person. For some kids, this may be the first time in a classroom since March 2020. But even as students go back to an in-person classroom, schools have realized just how important Wi-Fi is for learning.

Photo by: Arthur Lambillotte

Schools and districts of all sizes, around the country, have faced many challenges with remote learning over the last three semesters — one of the most pressing being at-home connectivity so kids could attend online classes and complete homework. And while classrooms are open again, schools are continuing efforts to close the homework gap.

Districts are taking varying approaches, but they all understand Wi-Fi is a necessity to students’ education. North Texas Public Schools is using federal assistance to create a program that will bring an estimated 40,000 families Wi-Fi directly to their homes. Charleston County School District increased the Wi-Fi signal strength inside the school buildings so homes in close proximity could tap into those connections and people could drive or bike to the school parking lots to use the Wi-Fi. The school district also utilized ten Wi-Fi-equipped buses to bring connectivity to parks and neighborhoods.

Colleges and universities are also stepping up to ensure students stay connected. Most campuses are welcoming a close-to-full student body back this Fall, and schools expect students to bring more wireless devices than ever before. And beyond just the number of devices, Wi-Fi access in outdoor spaces will be even more important as social distancing and outdoor socializing are still encouraged. Ohio’s Bowling Green State University has been working to quickly upgrade the campus network, which will feature 1,600 more access points and over 1,200 access points or antennas specifically designed for outdoor use. Other schools are following suit, particularly taking advantage of the federal assistance from the CARES Act. Columbus State University is using the $10 million in federal assistance to update old hardware and install close to 1,000 new wireless access points.

Over the last 18 months, we’ve all learned that Wi-Fi is an integral part of education. Whether it’s K-12 education or universities, in-person or remote learning or anything in between, students need connectivity to succeed.