Rules and Expectations

In the days of Mr. and Mrs. Boyden, a rulebook didn’t exist; Mr. Boyden would simply say, “We don’t do that sort of thing at Deerfield.”  Today, we’ve found it helpful to codify at least some of our expectations, but the rules and expectations listed here are by no means comprehensive.

It is impossible for us to list every rule. Then and now, we expect students to have a solid grounding in the difference between right and wrong and to use that understanding as a guide in the decisions they make each day.

The expectations here reflect what really matters at Deerfield: academic excellence, service to others, and the pursuit of a life well lived. They are meant to keep students safe, to ensure that all members of our community can access the full Deerfield experience, and to cultivate the judgment required for a lifetime of thoughtful decision-making.

Simply stated, these rules apply during the entire duration of students’ enrollment at Deerfield: from the first moment students arrive at Deerfield until they depart campus after graduation, online and offline, on campus and off. These rules are not a legal contract, nor do they grant any additional rights or guarantees.

Students should note that faculty and staff are obligated to report rule violations and student misconduct—regardless of circumstance or method of discovery.