DAILY PARTICIPATION RUBRIC

Each student at Renaissance School is expected to participate fully in the educational experience we collectively create. While recognizing that individual students have differing strengths, a sense of teamwork is considered essential to a positive classroom environment. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action (see page 8).

Accordingly, each student is expected to meet the following guidelines on a daily basis:

•Arrive on time to class

•Bring required materials to class (see individual class syllabi for specific requirements) including completed homework

•Be respectful of other students’ property, opinions and efforts

•Be respectful of the school and teachers’ property

•Follow directions

•Remain on task

•Focus on being positive and open to differing points of view and pedagogical approaches

•Support the efforts of the group

•Actively contribute to class discussions and projects

A note about studying the figure: Renaissance School students will study the human form and anatomy in its science courses and in the context of history (art and religion). Renaissance School aims to develop the technical skills and the tools necessary to communicate concepts and experiences across various media. Renaissance School does not, however, allow student-created works of any medium that discusses, describes, or depicts the nude figure.

Dress Code

During school hours, whether on campus, in physical activity class, or on the Downtown Mall, students are expected to reflect respect for the values of Renaissance School. Accordingly, students should dress properly for school and look neat and clean.

Students may wear nice jeans or pants. Shorts, skirts, tank tops, and crop tops are acceptable, but should be reasonably modest in coverage. Students may not wear T-shirts or sweatshirts with explicit language, messages targeted toward hate, depicting drugs, alcohol, or tobacco, or degrade the integrity of individual groups. Undergarments should not be exposed; shirts and pants should not be transparent. Hats that hide the eyes or face should not be worn during school hours; otherwise, they are permitted between classes and at the discretion of the teacher during class. Sunglasses and bare feet are not allowed.

It is important to remember school should be considered a professional learning environment for all and how we present ourselves matters in all professional settings.

Faculty Advisors

Renaissance School does not have a counselor on staff. Each student will be assigned a member of the Renaissance School faculty as an Advisor. The Advisor will generally meet with students on a weekly basis. The Advisor will work directly with the Dean of Students. Faculty Advisors have the opportunity to consult with a student’s teachers weekly, to ensure that he/she/they are succeeding at the school. Additionally, the Dean of Students serves as a fulltime advisor for all Renaissance School students.

Renaissance School is designed to promote confident, enthusiastic, and responsible young adult learners who treat teachers and each other with courtesy and respect. As responsible members of the Renaissance School community, students will be held accountable for their actions.

Unacceptable Behaviors

Use, distribution, or possession of illegal drugs, alcohol, vapes, or tobacco products, or abuse of prescription drugs and chemicals is not allowed. Searches of student belongings and cubbies may occur. Any single infraction of this rule may result in immediate expulsion from Renaissance School and reporting to the police.

Lying – Cheating – Stealing will not be tolerated. This is a direct violation of Renaissance School’s Honor Code and may result in suspension or expulsion. Plagiarism and misuse of AI (sites such as Chat GBT) fall under this category.

Disrespectful Behavior disrupts the learning environment, making it difficult for teachers to teach and others to learn. Disrespectful behavior in the classroom and abusive language and/or disparaging remarks about others will not be tolerated. Students who cause general disruption and/or willfully choose not to participate in class activities will be held accountable for their actions. Steps in the disciplinary process will be implemented when disrespectful behavior occurs.

Abuse of Property and not cleaning up after oneself shows a lack of respect for the Renaissance School community and may result in disciplinary action.

Being Unprepared for Class disrupts the learning environment and hinders the development of academic skills. Students who come to school unprepared (without homework completed, without having done required reading, without materials, etc.), under the advice of the Dean of Academics, will meet with teachers and their Faculty Advisor to develop a plan to foster a more responsible approach to school. Parents will be notified and asked to support the implementation of the plan. In addition, the student will lose sign-out privileges until the issue is rectified.

If these steps do not solve the problem, a meeting with the Head of School, Dean of Academics, the Advisor, the parents, and the student will be held. At this point, if appropriate, the student will be placed on academic probation, and his/her/their status at Renaissance School will be re-evaluated. Please note: technology problems are not an excuse for incomplete or late homework assignments. Plan accordingly!