Academic Integrity
At Tri-Cities Prep, we expect each student to strive for academic excellence according to their ability. Even more important than any grade is personal integrity.
No test, paper, lab report, or assignment is more important than honesty. We are committed to forming students who choose what is right, even when it is difficult.
Academic Dishonesty
Students may not:
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Copy homework or assignments
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Plagiarize
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Violate testing procedures
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Assist or enable another student in dishonest behavior
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Use unauthorized AI technology for assignments, projects, papers, or assessments
All incidents are reported to the Academic Dean and may result in disciplinary action.
Cheating
Cheating includes, but is not limited to:
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Using unauthorized notes or materials during a test
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Copying from another student
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Talking or communicating during exams
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Sharing test information between class periods
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Writing answers on desks, hands, or other surfaces
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Submitting work completed by someone else
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Turning in previously graded work without teacher approval
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Using unauthorized AI technology
Students who are caught cheating will receive a zero on the assignment, and the incident will be referred to the Academic Dean for further action.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the use of another person’s words, ideas, or information without proper attribution.
This includes:
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Copying text word for word without quotation marks and citation
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Submitting another student’s work
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Paraphrasing or summarizing ideas without crediting the source
All sources must be properly documented. Both direct quotations and paraphrased ideas require clear attribution. Failure to cite sources constitutes plagiarism.
Integrity in Group Work
Collaboration is encouraged in many classes. However, working together becomes dishonest when a student can no longer honestly say, “This is my work.”
It is dishonest to:
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Copy answers while working together
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Make minor changes to another student’s work and submit it as your own
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Stop attempting to solve a problem independently and simply write down another student’s solution
For example, in science labs, partners may share data, but each student must independently complete calculations and write their own report.
When in doubt, students should always ask their teacher what is acceptable. Expectations may vary by class.
At Tri-Cities Prep, we believe integrity forms character. Choosing honesty, especially in unclear situations, is essential to developing a well formed conscience and becoming a person of virtue.
