The Nye County School District has launched a controlled artificial intelligence pilot program designed to help teachers and students explore AI while maintaining district oversight, student safety and data privacy.
The program uses MagicSchool.ai, an education-focused AI platform that provides tools for instructional planning, administrative work and teacher-guided student activities.
NCSD began providing teachers with access to the platform Monday, Sept. 14. Educators participating in the pilot will be able to use its administrative and instructional planning tools through the end of the 2026-27 school year.
Professional development workshops are planned for late September. During the workshops, teachers will explore the available tools, establish safety protocols and learn how to create customized AI-supported learning environments for students.
Student access is scheduled to begin Nov. 1 through MagicStudent. Students will not be able to access the platform independently and must receive a classroom code from a teacher.
“Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the workplace, and it is our responsibility to safely prepare students for a tech-driven world,” Superintendent Dr. Joseph Gent said. “MagicSchool allows our educators to introduce AI constructively while keeping human relationships, ethical habits, and strong instruction at the heart of learning.”
District officials said they have been evaluating the changing role of AI in K-12 education since public generative AI tools became widely available in late 2022. The pilot represents a deliberate approach intended to build AI literacy while giving educators control over how the technology is introduced in classrooms.
“Our priority across every school in Nye County is ensuring equal access to high-quality, secure learning tools,” Director of Technology, Data and Communications Robert Williams said. “MagicSchool gives our teachers the transparency, administrative control, and privacy protections required to bring AI into classrooms safely.”
District leadership plans to review teacher and student use of the platform in February 2027. Teachers will be surveyed about their experiences, including the benefits and drawbacks they observed and how students used the technology.
The results of that evaluation will help NCSD determine whether student access to MagicSchool will continue beyond the initial pilot period.
