Community Standards
Honor Code
The Honor Code is the foundation upon which we at Choate make choices in our daily lives. All members of the community are expected to live up to high standards of behavior in the area of personal integrity, respect for others, and community standards, as outlined below. Violations of these basic principles may be grounds for dismissal, unless the school decides that circumstances warrant a lesser punishment. If you are present when the Honor Code is violated, you may be found guilty of complicity.
I. Academic Integrity
The principle of academic integrity is the cornerstone of a school community. In all our actions at Summer Programs, we encourage students toward a life governed by values of academic honesty and respect for the work of others. Cheating, plagiarizing, or giving or receiving unacknowledged assistance in academic work and lying and stealing are unacceptable behavior in this community. As an affirmation of this principle, students are required to write out the following honor pledge on all tests and major papers, as well as other assignments as required by the instructor:
I pledge that I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid.
It is expected that writing out the honor pledge will serve as a reminder of the community's commitment to the principles of honor and personal integrity.
Note: A matriculating Choate or current Choate student found guilty of academic dishonesty while enrolled in a summer program should expect a disciplinary response from the regular school year.
II. Personal Integrity
Sensitivity and mutual respect are basic values of the Choate community. One of life's lessons is learning how to live with and get along with people who may be different from oneself. Lying, stealing and behavior that intimidates, harasses, insults, humiliates or demeans another human being are unacceptable within this school community as it is in society. Infliction of physical or verbal abuse, damaging or destroying the property of others, threats, intimidation, sexual misconduct (coercion, exploitation or abuse) or behavior inside or outside the community that violates propriety and adversely affects the well-being of an individual or the community will be subject to appropriate action, including possible dismissal from school. Specifically, Choate prohibits in all its programs discrimination against or harassment of any individual or group based upon personal animosity or on such factors as age, gender, race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation or handicap. Such behavior should be brought to the attention of the Dean, Dean of Students or Director.
Statement of Understanding
A student and his parents are required to sign and return our Statement of Understanding (which is mailed with our acceptance packet). Once that document is signed, it is the school's assumption that both students and parents have read, understood, and agreed to all of the rules. No student may register without a signed Statement of Understanding on file.