Elementary Honor Code

A Harding Academy student will not lie,
cheat, steal or tolerate those who do.

Honor Pledge

Every student in grades 3-6 will write "honor" on all tests and examinations to indicate the following pledge which will be displayed in each classroom: "I have not given or received help." Additionally, teachers may require that other assignments be pledged. A student?s signature is his indication that the work is entirely his own. However, the absence of the pledge does not relieve the student of his responsibility to be honest.

Honor Code Violations

I. Cheating is defined as giving or receiving unauthorized help on a test or assignment, including the following:

  • communicating in any way with another student during a test
  • sharing or receiving information about a test or quiz with another student who has yet to take the test or quiz
  • having in one's possession materials or information, not approved in advance by the teacher, which would indicate intent to give or receive help
  • copying of another person's homework (Working problems with other students, getting pointers, etc., with the goal of learning and completing an assignment is permissible, but the wholesale copying of another's work and/or answers is considered cheating.)

II. Stealing is defined as the taking of property or possessions of others without proper authorization or permission.

III. Dishonesty is defined as not being honest in word or deed, including the following:

  • deceiving or giving false information for the purpose of circumventing a school rule, of escaping guilt, or of duping school personnel
  • lying or being untruthful

IV. Plagiarism is defined as the use of another's words, style, or ideas as if they were one's own or without giving proper credit to the original source. Elementary students will be taught to give credit for others' thoughts and ideas. Expectations will be age appropriate.

Consequences of Honor Code Violations

A violation of the Honor Code is considered a major infraction and is not tolerated at Harding Academy. Harding reserves the right to impose such penalties as it deems appropriate to call attention to the seriousness of the offense and to deter other such offenses. Consequences may vary in light of a student's age or previous behavior. Any student found guilty of cheating will be given a grade of zero on the work, parents will be notified, and a report will be filed in the student's record. A pattern of dishonorable behavior could result in a student's dismissal from Harding.