Punahou School in Honolulu, Hawaii, is one of the nation’s largest and most respected independent schools, known for shaping future leaders and innovators. Serving more than 3,700 students from kindergarten through 12th grade, the expansive 76-acre campus required faster, more reliable, and cost-effective Wi-Fi solution– beyond the built-in Apple TV capabilities for screen sharing, and reach areas where infrastructure cabling wasn’t feasible for the printer network. 

To address inconsistent Wi-Fi during classroom screen sharing and the challenges of running infrastructure cabling, Punahou School’s IT team evaluated the Silex BR-500AC wireless bridge. 

This enterprise-grade wireless bridge delivers robust throughput and reliable connectivity, featuring Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac Wave 2) with 2x2 MU-MIMO and WPA3-Enterprise security. Punahou’s IT team especially valued its 802.1x support and the ability to bind MAC addresses–features that are uncommon in similar wireless bridges. 

While Apple TVs enables interactive lessons and multimedia presentations, its native Wi-Fi can struggle in high-density or interference-prone environments. Punahou initially deployed 40 BR-500AC units across campus and found them to deliver significantly more stable and secure connectivity than the Apple TV alone – at a much lower cost than alternative screen-sharing solutions, especially for a large-scale deployment that requires hundreds of units.

With a successful pilot of BR-500AC units, the Punahou School plans to deploy 300+ more this coming summer.

“At Punahou School, we’re committed to reimagining learning environments with technology across our indoor and outdoor spaces. The BR-500AC improves screen sharing and multimedia presentations in our classrooms, and removes technology frustrations for our faculty, so they can focus on what matters most: teaching and enriching the student experience.”

- Shigehiro Minami, Chief Information Technology Officer, Punahou School

Advantages of using a BR-500AC as a companion to AppleTV for schools

Enhanced signal strength and reliability for smooth screen sharing

By providing a stronger, most stable connection than Apple TV’s native Wi-Fi, the Silex BR-500AC minimizes buffering and interruptions. This ensures the faculty can move large, cart-mounted displays throughout their classrooms without sacrificing connectivity.

Minimize connectivity disruptions when moving between classrooms

The BR-500AC features fast roaming capability, which minimizes connectivity drops as devices move between access points—ideal for maintaining Apple TV performance across campus.

Cost-effective solution

Compared to purchasing a purpose-built presenter solution, the BR-500AC offers similar, if not superior, performance enhancements at a fraction of the cost. This makes it an excellent choice for schools looking to improve their classroom experience without straining the budget.

Easy setup and integration

With clear instructions and compatibility with a wide range of devices, IT professionals can integrate the BR-500AC into the existing network setup with ease. This means teachers can enjoy the benefits of enhanced wireless performance without the hassle of complex configurations.

“When you have hundreds of devices to manage each and every day, having a platform that can help with visibility and operations is key. We value Silex’s customer support and their management platform.”

-Shigehiro Minami, Chief Information Technology Officer, Punahou School

Creating innovative learning environments for the 21st century

Renowned for delivering a high-quality educational experience, Punahou School understands the importance of seamless technology in the classroom. Reliable Wi-Fi connectivity empowers teachers to focus on engaging students through interactive lessons—without the frustration of technical hiccups. As a companion to Apple TV, the Silex BR-500AC enhances signal strength, supports fast roaming, and ensures consistent performance, all while remaining both budget-friendly and resource-efficient.