We seek to foster a community with standards of conduct above reproach which will allow students to be evaluated on the basis of their own accomplishments. The goal of the Code is also to encourage personal pride and pride in our school.

In order to provide students with a better understanding of the behaviors to which the Highlander Honor Code applies, the following general information is provided. Although it is not possible to note every behavior that may be interpreted as an Honor Code infraction, every attempt has been made to inform students of the spirit and intent of the Honor Code.

• I will always be truthful and never consciously misrepresent a fact with the intent to deceive or to obtain special consideration or privilege.
• I will not accept help from, nor give help to, another student during a test, graded assignment, or homework assignment, unless collaboration is specifically designated by the teacher as appropriate.
• I will not use notes, books, or other unauthorized materials during a test or quiz unless instructed to do so by a teacher.
• I will complete my own work. I understand the definition of plagiarism that follows: To reproduce the work of another, in whole or in part, with the intent to receive credit for it as if it were one's own work.
• If I am instructed to use outside sources of information, I will cite them properly and not represent them as my own ideas.
• I will treat all fellow students, faculty, and administrators with dignity and respect. I will be civil to others and will not treat others with contempt or with prejudice.
• I will not take the property of another student or the property of LHPS without consent.
• I will protect the property of LHPS and will not litter or vandalize the school.

Administration of the Highlander Honor Code

Lower School and Middle School Honor Code violations will be dealt with by the Dean of Students and Administrators as they deem appropriate in each individual case.

Upper School Honor Code violations, when referred by the Dean of Students, will be adjudicated by an Honor Council. The Honor Council shall be composed of three faculty members appointed by the President of LHPS and four students. The four students will be drawn from a pool of jurors as each case is referred to the Honor Council. The Honor Council Jury Pool will be composed of 9-12th grade students whose applications have been submitted and screened by the faculty and approved by the Director of the Upper School. The Honor Council may appoint a faculty/student panel of investigators if cases referred by the Dean of Students require further investigation to discover all of the facts and circumstances surrounding the alleged violation.

The Honor Council shall make findings on the factual issue of whether the alleged Honor Code violation has occurred. The standard of proof shall be "Clear and Convincing Evidence." All proceedings are confidential and all decisions or recommendations are to be made in closed sessions by a vote of at least five of the seven members. The rights of the accused, including the right to have his faculty advisor present at the hearing, shall be guarded and enumerated in the Highlander Honor Code Procedures Manual governing the deliberations of the Honor Council.

Findings and recommendations are to be forwarded to the Director of the Upper School for disposition. Any appeal of the penalty imposed by the Director of the Upper School should be addressed to the President of LHPS whose decision shall be final.

Penalties

If the Honor Council finds that a violation of the Honor Code has occurred, the Honor Council will recommend to the Director of the Upper School an appropriate penalty. Penalties may range from a grade of zero on the academic work in question, to the grade of "F" for the course, or possible suspension or some combination. In the event of an "F" in the course, the student may retake the course and have the honestly earned grade replace the "F" in the computation of the students GPA. A second violation of the Highlander Honor Code will normally result in expulsion from LHPS.

If a Highlander observes what he or she believes to be a violation of the Honor Code, the Highlander is honor-bound to act in one of three ways:

• Speak to the suspected violator and encourage him either to turn himself into the Dean of Students or to cease immediately his suspect actions.
• Ask the Dean of Students to notify the suspected violator that a fellow student, whose identity is protected, has asked that he or she be officially warned that his or her actions are causing suspicion, and if continued, could result in an Honor Code violation investigation.
• Report the suspected violation to the Dean of Students for investigation if the suspected violator ignores the warning and if the suspect actions are repeated and flagrant. The Dean will then make a referral to Honor Council for adjudication.

Failure to take one of the three actions outlined above is, in and of itself, a violation of the Highlander Honor Code. A society of honorable men and women is a self-policing one. Honor requires you to take action so that the dishonorable few do not triumph at Lake Highland Preparatory School.