Parents Council: Faculty Panel Discusses A.I. at Belmont Hill

On February 4, parents of boys across all grade levels had the opportunity to hear the strategic thinking behind Belmont Hill’s approach to A.I. from a panel of faculty members representing different departments and aspects of school life. The speakers reviewed the formal policies regarding A.I. use for faculty and students, and explained the data and mission driven thinking that guided their development.  

The panelists included Dean of Academic Affairs Eric Smith, Dean of Teaching and Learning Lauren Hamilton, Director of Academic Technology Craig Schneider, and English Teacher Anna McDonald. 

“We're committed to making sure the writing, reading, and thinking that happen in our classrooms remain deeply human. A.I. is just one more tool in service of that goal,” Mrs. McDonald said. “Our job isn't to pretend A.I. doesn't exist or to ban it outright. Our job is to teach them how to use it wisely, critically, and ethically, so that it enhances their thinking rather than replacing it.”
The School offers a variety of ways to ensure students have the ability to do just that, including the introduction of a new Applied Computer Science course for Form II students, set to debut in the 2026-2027 school year. The course will educate students on algorithms, cyber security, programming, and more, to better equip them with the context and skills to use A.I. responsibly and effectively. 

But as much as technology changes, Belmont Hill’s mission remains the guiding spirit of everything happening on campus. 

“We remain focused on our core strengths: teaching close reading skills, engaging deeply in the writing process, and investing in student-teacher relationships by getting to know our students well,” Mrs. McDonald said. “We continue to believe that the human connections between students, teachers, and texts make learning meaningful. AI doesn't replace any of these. Instead, when used well, it can support all three.”

After the presentation, the faculty members opened the floor for parent questions and further discussion.