School account
Have the student’s @clevelandschools.org email address and password ready.
CCS BLADE Project
Set Up Your CCS iPad
Follow one continuous, guided setup to enroll your school-issued iPad, install required apps, and confirm that it is ready for learning.
Guided setup
Follow the screens in order
Start with the quick preparation checklist, move through each setup screen, and finish with information about the CCS BLADE Project.
Before you begin
Gather what you need
A few quick checks will make the setup process smoother and help required school apps install correctly.
Reliable Wi-Fi
Use a home, school, or workplace Wi-Fi network. Avoid a mobile hotspot whenever possible.
Asset tag
Know where to find the eight-digit asset tag beneath the barcode on the back of the iPad.
Power and time
Keep the iPad charged and allow time for apps and school settings to download.
Stay in this guide
The Help button opens a popup over your current screen, so you will not lose your place.
The screen may look slightly different depending on the iPad model or software version.
Internet confirmed
GoGuardian displays “Hurray! You are connected to the internet.”
Account confirmed
The correct school email address appears under You in GoGuardian.
Apps still installing?
That is normal. Leave the iPad connected while downloads finish.
Incorrect time or date?
Go to Settings → General → Date & Time and make sure Set Automatically is turned on. Then restart the iPad.
About your school-issued iPad
About the CCS BLADE Project
This iPad is provided as part of the Cleveland City Schools BLADE Project, which stands for Blended Learning and Digital Enhancement. The BLADE Project helps ensure that students have access to the digital tools and resources they need to learn, create, communicate, and complete schoolwork both at school and at home.
Cleveland City Schools believes strongly in blended learning. Blended learning combines high-quality, teacher-led instruction with purposeful uses of technology. Our teachers remain at the center of the learning process. They guide instruction, build relationships with students, provide feedback, and determine when technology can make a lesson more effective.
Technology is not intended to replace teachers, textbooks, classroom discussion, hands-on activities, or traditional learning experiences. Instead, it gives teachers additional ways to support students. An iPad may be used to provide immediate feedback, access interactive learning materials, practice important skills, collaborate with classmates, demonstrate understanding, or explore a topic in greater depth.
Our goal is not simply for students to spend more time using a device. Our goal is for students to use technology when it improves learning and helps them better understand the Tennessee Academic Standards. At times, the best learning experience may involve an iPad. At other times, students may learn best through direct instruction, discussion, reading, writing, experimentation, or working with classmates.
Providing each student with an iPad also helps create consistent access to learning opportunities. Students can access school resources, assignments, educational applications, and teacher-provided materials from a familiar device. The iPad is a school-owned instructional tool and should be used responsibly, cared for properly, and brought to school each day as directed by the student’s school and teachers.
Teachers leadTechnology supports excellent instruction; it does not replace the teacher.
Purpose mattersDevices are used when they improve learning and deepen understanding.
Access for allEvery student receives consistent access to school tools and resources.