Drones in Schools: What School Safety Leaders Are Saying

This article, originally published Aug. 3, 2026, was updated Sept. 3, 2026, to include new developments related to drone technology in K-12 schools.

Earlier this year, campus security expert Mike Gips predicted that "the drone era" had arrived on school campuses, arguing that unmanned aircraft were rapidly evolving from a niche technology into an increasingly common security tool.

As 2026 has progressed, that prediction has become more apparent. School districts across the country have expanded drone programs, states have launched pilot initiatives, and, as students return for a new school year, drone technology is becoming part of safety planning conversations at a growing number of schools.

While much of the recent attention has focused on how drones could be used during active shooter incidents, school safety leaders are asking a different set of questions: Where do drones fit within a comprehensive school safety strategy? When do they add value? And what should districts consider before investing in them?

Recent Drone Developments in K-12 Schools

Interest in drone technology has accelerated in recent months as states, school districts, and technology companies increasingly explore how drones could support school safety.

In June, Florida launched the nation's first state-funded school drone pilot program, initially investing approximately $557,000 to deploy Mithril Defense's Campus Guardian Angel system at three high schools. The state has since allocated another $564,500 to the program, bringing its total investment to more than $1.1 million.

At Deltona High School, one of the pilot sites, 40 drones have been installed in docking stations and are designed to provide real-time video, communicate with first responders, and support emergency response during critical incidents. The drones can also deploy sirens and flashing lights, release a pepper-based deterrent, and, as a last resort, physically strike an attacker. Remote operators control the drones during an emergency.

The exact capabilities used may vary by district. Broward County Public Schools, where Boyd Anderson High School is participating in the pilot, has said the program remains in the planning stages and that the district has not approved specific capabilities such as the deployment of pepper spray. District officials have emphasized the technology's potential to improve surveillance and situational awareness for first responders.

Another company is also testing indoor drone technology in a Florida school. XTEND CEO and co-founder Aviv Shapira told The Drone Girl that the company is piloting an autonomous indoor security drone at an unnamed school in the state.

The drone is designed to remain in a ceiling-mounted docking station until triggered by an emergency alert or sensor, at which point it can automatically launch and navigate indoor spaces without GPS. The system provides live video to a remote monitoring center, where a human operator can communicate through the drone's two-way audio system.

The XTEND drone being tested at the school does not carry weapons. The company is separately testing pepper spray, high-intensity lights, and acoustic deterrents for other commercial indoor applications.

In August, Atlanta Public Schools announced the creation of specialized tactical response and drone teams as part of a larger effort to strengthen campus security. District officials said the initiative, which follows the 2024 shooting at Apalachee High School, is intended to improve emergency response capabilities and provide additional reassurance to students, staff, and families.

Meanwhile, John Adams Academy in Colorado is preparing to become the first school in the state to implement a drone-based active shooter response system when it opens this fall. School leaders say the technology will complement a multi-layered security strategy by providing first responders with real-time situational awareness and reducing response times during emergencies.

Drone technology is also gaining visibility among school safety professionals and policymakers. At the Arkansas Safe Schools Association conference in July, vendors demonstrated drone-based active shooter response systems to hundreds of school resource officers, school administrators, first responders, and other safety professionals.

A month later, on August 19, Campus Guardian Angel demonstrated its system at the Arkansas State Capitol for lawmakers and Capitol police. The demonstration prompted discussion about cost, legal liability, oversight, and implementation, with one lawmaker expressing interest in finding a Jonesboro-area school willing to pilot the technology.

Interest is also extending into other parts of the country where school and public safety officials are evaluating the technology. In August, Campus Guardian Angel held a live demonstration of its drone-based active shooter response system in Reston, Virginia, showcasing the technology for attendees that included a representative from the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office. While no school districts in Virginia, Maryland, or Washington, D.C., have adopted the system, the company said it has held preliminary discussions with at least one school in the D.C. area, WUSA9 reports.

Some of these initiatives have prompted questions from parents, community members, and public officials. In Colorado, some parents expressed concerns about the technology's effectiveness, the lack of real-world data, how remotely operated drones would interact with responding law enforcement officers, and whether public funding should be used for emerging security technologies.

Drone-based active shooter response systems have not been tested during an actual school shooting, and questions remain about how they would perform in a chaotic, real-world emergency. Campus Guardian Angel has also acknowledged the need for additional research into its effectiveness. CEO Justin Marston told CNN the company has applied for grants to evaluate the efficacy of its drones and would like to see a larger study using formal research methods that could ultimately be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

How School Safety Leaders Are Evaluating Drone Technology

As interest in drone technology grows, members of the National Council of School Safety Directors (NCSSD) have been discussing where drones may be useful and how districts should evaluate them as part of a broader school safety strategy.

Drones Are Viewed as One Layer of School Safety

A recurring theme throughout discussions is that drones should be viewed as one component of a layered school safety program rather than a standalone security solution. While members acknowledged that drones may have value in certain situations, several emphasized that implementation decisions should be based on a district's specific needs, available resources, and overall safety priorities.

One member who oversees a district drone program noted that their team uses drones for event security, perimeter monitoring, and educational programming, but emphasized that the program was established through grant funding without diverting resources from other school safety priorities.

Core School Safety Measures Remain the Priority

Several members stressed that investments in emerging technology should not come at the expense of core school safety measures. Participants pointed to priorities such as secure classroom doors, communication systems, behavioral threat assessment processes, emergency drills, perimeter security, and dedicated school safety leadership as the building blocks of an effective safety program.

As one member wrote, "No technology can replace prevention." Another cautioned against allowing drones to become the next "shiny object" if it means diverting attention or funding from proven security practices.

Implementation Extends Beyond the Technology

Members also discussed practical considerations that districts should evaluate before implementing drone programs. Topics included FAA licensing requirements, funding sources, coordination with local law enforcement, policies governing authorized and unauthorized drone use, and how drones could support operations beyond active shooter response, such as large events, graduation ceremonies, and perimeter monitoring.

Several members also noted that as drones become more common, districts may need policies addressing drones operated by visitors or individuals outside school property, particularly during outdoor events where privacy, safety, and legal authority can present additional challenges.

Schools Are Preparing for Unauthorized Drone Activity

While much of the recent attention has focused on how schools might use drones, school safety leaders are also discussing a different challenge: responding to drones operated by visitors, hobbyists, businesses, or other individuals near school property.

Earlier this year, the Boston Regional Intelligence Center (BRIC) reported that the growth of recreational and commercial drone activity is creating new challenges for public safety agencies. In addition to concerns about the malicious use of drones, the report noted that operator error, equipment malfunctions, and unauthorized flights can also disrupt emergency operations and create public safety risks.

During recent NCSSD discussions, members described concerns about unauthorized drones at outdoor events, graduation ceremonies, and on school campuses. Topics included privacy, safety hazards, and the limited authority many districts have when drones are launched from outside school property. Several members noted that districts are beginning to develop policies and coordinate with local law enforcement as drone activity becomes more common.

One member shared a recent example in which a drone landed on a school playground during school hours. The principal responded by moving students indoors, contacting law enforcement, and disabling the drone's battery. Investigators later determined the drone belonged to a realtor photographing property nearby, emphasizing that even routine drone operations may require a school safety response.

Where Drones Fit in School Safety

As more districts evaluate drone technology, discussions among school safety leaders have focused on how drones can complement existing safety measures rather than replace them. For many practitioners, that depends on the needs of the district, the resources available, and the role drones play within a broader safety program.

NCSSD member Eric King, director of school security for Conway Public Schools, echoed that sentiment during a presentation at the Arkansas Safe Schools Association conference.

"Those things out there are layers. But I think every one of those layers has its place."