AKRON, Ohio (WOIO) - Akron Public Schools said the school day is significantly better, friendlier, and safer now that students lock their phones away during classes.

Jessica Sax, the principal at Hyre CLC, said the ban that went into effect last year is beneficial for the students.

"I think students felt a lot more comfortable with the process because they knew that I still get to keep my phone but I know when I'm in classes that phone is not distracting me and keeping me from my learning," Sax said.

Students use a Yondr pouch which safely secures their phone throughout the day. At the end of the school day, they use a magnet provided by the district to unlock it.

Sax said students are paying better attention resulting in better grades.

Data from APS showed a decrease in the number of students fighting.

"We have a seen a significant decrease in the number of what we would say were pre-planned fighting where students were texting, messaging each other, talking about going and meeting somewhere in the building or classroom and fights occurring," Sax said.

Alan Jones, APS's director of safety and security, said the district has protocols in place to ensure families will be able to communicate in the case of an emergency.

"They could let the teacher know and the teacher has a way of if it's right now they have a way of notifying the school security," Jones said.

Sax said overall this has helped student performance.

"This is something that is positively impacting our district, positively impacting our students, and I would say this is something we should continue with," Sax said.