Academic Integrity

Members of Crescent School are guided by certain ethical values, one of which is academic freedom: the right to think, write and speak freely, without fear of censorship. Such freedom can only exist when each member of the School is guided by related values: honesty and fairness.

At Crescent School, we believe that academic growth can best be achieved in an environment that presumes intellectual honesty. When academic dishonesty occurs, the teaching/learning climate is spoiled and intellectual growth is impeded. If the instructor is prevented from knowing the truth about a student’s level of achievement, success in subsequent courses is jeopardized.

List of 2 items.

Code of Conduct on Academic Matters
Academic Discipline Procedures
A teacher who suspects academic dishonesty will refer the matter to the Assistant Head of the Middle School, who may then decide to involve the Head of the School so that they may deal with the issue together and apply an appropriate sanction. Decisions regarding any repeated offences will include the involvement of the Head of School and the Teacher.

The following are examples, and not an exhaustive list, of instances of academic dishonesty:
- copying from another student or making information available to another student;
- submitting an essay written in whole or in part by someone else and representing it as one’s own;
- preparing an essay or assignment for submission by another student;
- copying an essay or assignment, or any part or parts of an essay or assignment, from any source, including the Internet, or knowingly allowing one’s essay or assignment, or any portion thereof, to be copied by someone else for the purpose of plagiarism (plagiarism means representing work done, in whole or in part, by someone else as if it were one’s own);
- using generative AI tools such as ChatGPT without the consent of the teacher;
- using direct quotations, or large sections of paraphrased material without acknowledgement; and
- buying or selling term papers or assignments and submitting them as one’s own.
Possible sanctions are:
- academic consequences;
- parental involvement;
- oral or written reprimand;
- oral or written reprimand and re-submission of work;
- grade of zero or failure for the piece of work;
- grade of zero or failure for the course;
- suspension; and
- expulsion.
A notation of the sanctions may be placed on the student’s current Ontario Student Record.
Homework

Students need to do their own homework and projects. It is fine for parents to offer guidance, but they should support their sons in their own learning. If a student is having difficulty, the School will offer support.

Parents should expect their sons to do homework each evening. As a broad guideline, in Grade 7 boys will, on average, be expected to do 70 minutes of homework, and in Grade 8, one and a half hours. If he is taking more (or significantly less) time than what is suggested above, contact his Mentor and make arrangements to discuss your concerns.