Accountability Points

Deerfield depends for its success as a community on the willingness of all its members, faculty and students alike, to give it their best. Not everyone will agree on all the rules, responsibilities or priorities. Still, we expect the integrity and self-discipline that enables you to live within the Academy’s guidelines. We expect you to understand that you are accountable for your actions. Some infractions may be lesser than others, but all carry consequences.

Accountability Points (Attendance)

The accountability point values for unexcused absences include but are not limited to the following:

• Academic obligation: 4
• Academy Event: 4
• Co-curricular obligation: 3
• Sunday sit-down dinner: 3
• Waiting on table responsibility: 3
• School meeting or other “required” meeting: 2
• Sit-down meal: 1
• Failure to respond to emails or voicemails: 1
• Fire code violation: 1
• Dress code violation: 1
• Tardiness to a class: 1 or more

APs are totaled daily. At the end of each term all APs are erased; sanctions, however, carry over to the succeeding term when appropriate. The student and advisor are notified if the student receives an AP. Students are allowed one week to contest the AP with their Class Dean. After that time, an AP will generally not be removed from a student’s term total.

Sanctions

Level One | 12-16 APs per term for non-seniors | 17-21 APs for seniors

A student who reaches Level I sanctions is required to attend study hall on Friday from 7:30-10:30 p.m. for two consecutive weekends. Parents receive a copy of the Level I sanction memorandum.

Level Two | 17-24 APs per term for non-seniors | 22-29 APs for seniors

A student who reaches Level II sanctions receives an additional two weekends of Friday night study hall (to commence after the Level I sanction is over). Parents receive a copy of the Level II sanction memorandum.

Level Three | 25 or more APs per term for non seniors | 30 or more APs for seniors

A student who reaches Level III sanctions must meet with his or her Class Dean and advisor in order to examine more closely the root of the problem and to work out a response to the situation. The response may involve a measure of support for the student, such as counseling if it is deemed appropriate, but there will also be a punitive side to the response which may carry over into the next term. A student who reaches Level III sanctions is suspended. Depending on the level of APs accrued and the student’s level of effort to control the problem, suspensions can vary from 1-3 days. A student may be placed on Disciplinary Probation for the remainder of the term in which the points are accumulated and for the ensuing term as well. In addition, the student may face suspension or possibly dismissal. At this juncture parents will be contacted to discuss the situation and the Academy’s response.

Withholding of credit due to absences: Above all, students must understand that attendance is not merely a routine obligation. Class time is integral to a Deerfield education. When, for any reason, a student has missed 20% or more of the course meetings during a given term, Deerfield may withhold credit for the course for that term. Such cases will be heard before the Academic Standing Committee and a recommendation will be made to the Head of School.