By Jen Green, Associate Head of School

This blog post was developed with the support of AI-assisted writing tools, in alignment with Pegasus School’s commitment to thoughtful and ethical use of artificial intelligence.

At The Pegasus School, our mission is to inspire bright, curious minds to become confident, compassionate leaders throughout their PK through eighth-grade journey. Our story guides us as we prepare students not only for the challenges of today, but also for the opportunities of tomorrow. In a rapidly evolving world, technology—and particularly artificial intelligence (now referred to as GenAI)—is transforming how we learn, work, and connect. If you are a parent or fellow educator reading this blog, it is likely GenAI is already at work in some capacity in your life at home or at work.

It is our great responsibility to prepare students to achieve future academic success and make a positive impact on society. As such, it is critical that we help our students understand and become literate in tools that will only continue to develop exponentially. Our approach is rooted in ensuring that every child engages with digital tools in a safe, ethical, and age-appropriate way, while always prioritizing the human connections and relationships that define Pegasus.

Building Digital and AI Literacy

At Pegasus, we see AI not as a replacement for human intelligence, but as a tool for curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving. We are intentional about helping students navigate this landscape through:

• Safety and Responsibility: Teaching students how to safeguard their privacy, protect their digital footprint, and use technology responsibly.
• Ethics and Citizenship: Guiding students to recognize issues of bias, fairness, and respectful engagement in digital spaces.
• Developmentally Appropriate Use: Ensuring that students’ interactions with technology evolve as they do—meeting the unique needs of a kindergartener is different from those of an eighth grader.

Our full philosophy statement can be accessed here. 

Teachers Leading the Way

Pegasus teachers are at the forefront of this important work. They are innovators who integrate GenAI tools in thoughtful, age-appropriate ways—expanding what’s possible for teaching and learning. At the same time, they model what it means to adapt to change with responsibility and care. This also includes teaching about GenAI, not simply using it - this is AI Literacy. Our teachers are also asking the questions that help our approach stay grounded in what is best for student learning and growth, with developmentally appropriate practice in mind. 

During the summer, our AI cohort worked tirelessly—researching, deepening their own learning, and building shared resources to support AI and digital literacy instruction, and help teachers and our school evaluate lessons and learning tools with clarity and intent. Their efforts culminated in a faculty and staff session before the start of school, which included a presentation and small-group discussions organized by grade-level bands. During this time, the cohort shared the resources they had developed. Teachers also engaged in training that introduced them to two school-funded tools, Magic School and Brisk. Discussion, dreaming, and idea generation bloomed from there and will be an ongoing discussion throughout the school year by our educators. 

Through this work, students will come to understand that generative AI is not a replacement for their creativity and capacity as learners. Instead, technology becomes more than just a resource—it becomes an invitation to explore, inquire, and create while personalizing and expanding possibilities for teaching and learning experiences. With guidance, students will see firsthand how to use powerful tools with wisdom and discernment. Just as important, they will learn when not to use AI—a boundary that remains essential for most current assignments and projects to avoid potential cognitive offload.

Grounded in Philosophy and Framework

Our Director of Technology, Nyly Sy, shared, “Grounded in our mission and guided by our values, Pegasus approaches AI with purpose, responsibility, and care. Our approach is intentional and age-appropriate, designed to support learning, creativity, and human connection. Through the SEE framework, we ensure AI is used safely, ethically, and effectively, preparing students to thrive in an evolving world.” Below are two examples of the work of our AI Cohort to create a shared vision for AI Literacy and provide clarity for students on when and how AI can be used with teacher direction. 

Students and families may start to see these scales in use for student assignments, especially in Middle School, and posted in classrooms and other learning spaces on campus.

Looking Ahead Together

The future our students will inherit will continue to change—often in ways we cannot fully predict. What will remain constant at Pegasus is our commitment to nurturing compassionate, confident leaders who can engage with these changes critically, creatively, and responsibly.

Our emphasis on AI literacy ensures that Pegasus students are not just keeping pace with the times—they are prepared to lead with humanity and wisdom in a world shaped by technological transformation.