THE SMCHS HONOR CODE

As a member of the Santa Margarita Catholic High School community, I am called to be of the same mind as Christ so that I may go and do likewise. I am called to a life in accordance with the Truth,
to be a person of Caritas Christi.

I will practice truthfulness and reflect the love of Christ in all my activities: spiritual, academic, athletic, and social. I will treat everyone with compassion, humility, justice, and goodness. As a person of Caritas Christi, I expect that all do the same.

go and do likewise

preamble

At Santa Margarita Catholic High School, our Honor Code is a natural extension of our identity as a Catholic community. It’s built on the foundation of our Mission, Vision, Charism, and Core Principles—Caritas Christi, the love of Christ. The Honor Code doesn’t replace these values; it helps us live them every day. It reminds us that our neighbor is holy, and that faith and integrity go hand in hand. Our words, actions, and relationships should reflect compassion, humility, justice, and goodness. By pledging the Honor Code, we commit to making God’s love visible in our classrooms, on the field, on stage, and throughout our lives at SMCHS.

WALL OF WISDOM

a message from father matthew

Rationale

The Honor Code is built on a simple truth: integrity grows not through surveillance and punishment, but through practice, reflection, and community support. We choose to build a culture of honesty, personal responsibility, and mutual accountability – guided by compassion and courage.

Formation and accountability work together. Formation nurtures the inner moral compass; accountability provides the structure and consequences that protect our community when formation alone is not enough. Both are acts of care—for individuals, for those harmed, and for the community we are building.

Emerging technologies, including AI, bring new challenges and opportunities. Rather than banning tools, we commit to clarity of purpose and transparency of process. Technology should serve human flourishing, not cause harm. We trust our community to make these choices with thoughtfulness and integrity.

The Honor Code is not a contract, but a covenant we freely embrace. It reflects who we aspire to be—not just what we must do. It honors our moral agency, our responsibility to one another, and our shared journey toward integrity.

This is the community we choose. This is the commitment we make.

THE HONOR CODE PLEDGE

This _______ is the result of my own work and thinking. I acknowledge the assistance of ________ in the preparation of my work.

CULTURE OF INTEGRITY

Teachers / Coaches / Staff / Administration . . .

Practice

Practice In The Classroom

Include a pledge statement on every exam and assignment
For paper assessments: Have students handwrite 'This exam/assignment is the result of my own work and thinking' and sign their name
For online platforms: Create a confirmation question at the end of assessments
Require citation acknowledgment: 'I acknowledge the assistance of _____ in the preparation of my work'

Reflective Questions

What this looks like

Model

Model In The Classroom

Reflective Questions

What this looks like

Champion

Champion In The Classroom

Reflective Questions

What this looks like

Teach

Teach In The Classroom

Reflective Questions

What this looks like

Respond

Respond In The Classroom

Reflective Questions

What are the appropriate immediate and long-term consequences?
What clarity do I need to practice justice in my classroom?
When do I refer to the dean/administration?
How can we be fair and consistent across all students?
Do I understand their motivations and conditions that led them to make mistakes?
How can I walk with my students through their mistakes?
Do students know how they can repair trust?

What this looks like

Students / Athletes . . .

Practice

Do your own work and confirm you are submitting your own work. Integrity isn't just about not cheating - it's about being honest in everything you do.

What This Looks Like
This DOES NOT Look Like:

What This Looks Like

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Respect

Respect self, peers, faculty and staff. Follow instructions and cite/give credit to any assistance you receive. Respecting others means honoring their work, time, and trust.

This Looks Like
This DOES NOT Look Like:

This Looks Like

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Care

Care for community and property. Respect self, peers, faculty and staff. Follow instructions and cite/give credit to any assistance you receive. Respecting others means honoring their work, time, and trust.

This Looks Like
This DOES NOT Look Like:

This Looks Like

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Communicate

Communicate for deeper understanding. Ask for help when you need it, seek clarity when confused, and own your mistakes when they happen. Communication builds trust.

This Looks Like
This DOES NOT Look Like:

This Looks Like

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Expect

Give and receive trust. Expect integrity and accountability from yourself and others. When everyone holds the same standard, the community becomes stronger.

This Looks Like
This DOES NOT Look Like:

This Looks Like

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Frequently asked question

How does an Honor Code work?

How does it connect to SM's mission, Caritas Christi, and Core Principles?

The Honor Code is the action that brings SM’s mission and values to life. Our Mission Statement explains why we exist—to form the whole person through faith, learning, and service. Our Vision Statement describes what we aspire to be—a living embodiment of the Sacred Heart and Caritas Christi. The Charism and Core Principles show how this happens—through compassion, humility, justice, and goodness. The Honor Code transforms these beliefs into daily practice, calling students to integrity and accountability. By living the Honor Code, students embody SM’s mission, reflect Caritas Christi, and uphold the Core Principles in every choice they make.

How is the Honor Code different from policies and rules?

Policies and rules set minimum standards for behavior—what is allowed or prohibited. The Honor Code goes beyond behavioral compliance. It shapes not just actions but the way we think, feel, and grow spiritually. It calls students to integrity and accountability as a way of life, forming cognitive, affective, and spiritual understanding. While rules tell us what we must do, the Honor Code inspires us to choose what we should do for the good of ourselves and the community.

Why are we adopting one now?

Is Honor Code just for academics?

What other institutions embrace the Honor Code?

What happens if I act contrary to the Honor Code?

If it violates school policies or rules: It will be handled according to the Student Handbook (e.g., disciplinary procedures).
If it doesn’t rise to that level: We focus on learning and restoring trust. This would involve meeting with a teacher or administrator to reflect on what happened and taking steps to repair the harm. Possible steps include but are not limited to:
Writing an apology letter to those affected.
Redoing or revising work to meet integrity standards.
Participating in a restorative conversation with peers or staff.
Doing community service connected to responsibility and trust.

How do I respond if I witness violations of the Honor Code?

Silence can harm the community because it allows broken trust to spread. Reporting isn’t about punishment—it’s about protecting integrity and helping others grow.

If it’s serious (policy or rule violation): Report it to a teacher or administrator right away.
If it’s minor or unclear: Speak privately with the person if you feel safe, or share your concern with a trusted adult.

When you act, you lead. Addressing issues honestly and respectfully reflects courage, integrity, and care for the community.

THE HONOR CODE
Committee

The SM Honor Code Committee includes students, faculty, administrators, and staff united in amplifying individual charisms and giving voice to shared values. This inaugural group collaborated to craft the language of the Honor Code and continues working to educate, promote, and reinforce our collective commitment to integrity—helping every member of our community “put on the mind of Christ” and live the call to “go and do likewise.”

Contact: Michelle Cho, Assistant Principal of Academic Innovation.