First and foremost, Cushing is a community of
learners. Therefore, students are expected to make their academic
work their most important priority. The information in this
section explains the major academic policies and procedures,
informs students about the resources available to help them
take full advantage of the learning environment, and emphasizes
Cushing's expectations with regard to meeting their commitments,
including classes, Extra Help, Study Hall and personal appointments.
Cushing students possess a range of academic strengths and
needs. Thus, each student's schedule is created to provide
the most appropriate educational challenge to maximize individual
academic growth. Central to a student's achievement is effort:
Cushing students are expected to give their best effort on
assigned work each day. While our teachers and the Academic
Office carefully monitor the performance of students and prescribe
corrective measures when needed, students are also expected
to monitor their work and notify their advisor, teachers or
the Academic Office when encountering academic difficulty.
Requirements and Assessments
Programs of study are constructed by the student and the Academic
Dean, who ensures that each student meets all diploma requirements.
Graduation requirements, academic policies and course descriptions
are listed on pages 3-5 in the Course Offerings Catalog, which
is sent to all parents and is also available in the Academic
Office. Returning students meet individually with the Academic
Dean in Spring Term to select their courses for the upcoming
year. New students submit a list of desired course selections
by mail. Please refer to the Course Offerings Catalog (also
available at www.cushing.org) for more information or call
the Academic Office at 978-827-7011.
Schedules for new and returning students are created in the
Academic Office over the summer and distributed to students
and their advisors during orientation in September. There
is a one-week add/drop period during which students may make
changes with the approval of the Academic Dean and their advisor,
teacher, or in some cases, the appropriate department head.
In all but a few courses, students are graded on a scale from
0 to 100. Sixty (60) is the minimum passing grade. Generally
students and parents receive grades and teacher evaluations
at the midterm and end of each of the three terms. Due to
the length of Fall Term, there are two assessment periods
prior to the end of the term.
Honor Roll
Honor Roll standing is determined at the end of each term
and is awarded to students who have earned grades of 80 or
above in all of their courses. High Honors status is awarded
to students who have earned grades of 85 or above in all of
their courses. Highest Honors status is awarded to students
who have earned grades of 90 or above in all of their courses.
Academic Honesty
Academic integrity is central to Cushing's mission, which
aims to educate both the mind and shape the character of young
men and women in order to nurture personal and academic growth.
Therefore, Cushing Academy expects all students to do their
own work. Students who provide work to others or receive unauthorized
work or help are in violation of the Academic Honesty Policy.
Teachers must report all violations of the Academic Honesty
Policy to the Academic Dean.
There are four areas in which the definition of academic honesty
should be made more specific.
It is not honest to copy
or reword phrases, sentences, paragraphs or entire sections
of a printed or an electronic source and present them
as one's own. To avoid this type of academic dishonesty
called plagiarism, students must identify all outside
sources used in the preparation of an assignment.
Unless permission has been
granted by a teacher, it is not honest to give the impression
that you know something or that you have done work when
you have taken the answer or work itself from someone
or somewhere else. In certain circumstances teachers
may permit groups to collaborate or to use their notes
and books while doing work. It is never acceptable to
hand in someone else's work as your own. This form of
academic dishonesty is known as cheating.
It is never acceptable to
provide assistance or work to another student without
the explicit permission of that student's teacher.
Submission of the same assignment
in two or more classes is not acceptable. If there is
a connection between assignments in two or more courses,
the student is encouraged to speak with the teachers involved
to explore the possibility of doing a longer, more in-depth
interdisciplinary paper or project. However, if a student
turns in the same assignment in another course without
permission, this action is considered a violation of the
Academic Honesty Policy.
Academic dishonesty of any form is not tolerated at Cushing
Academy. Violations of the Academic Honesty Policy include
but are not limited to:
Turning in someone else's essays, lab report
or project as your own. This includes essays obtained from
the Internet, mail order or other sources such as Monarch
Notes and books of criticism.
Copying answers (all or part) from someone
else's exam, test (in-class or take-home), quiz, home work
assignment or lab report.
Receiving answers from someone else during
an exam or test (in-class or take-home) or if permit- ted
to continue an exam during Extra Help, receiving answers
from anyone before resuming work.
Using someone else's work or ideas in a written
or spoken form without crediting the original author.
Stealing examination/testing materials or
teachers' answer books or keys.
Improperly citing sources or paraphrasing
in some sections of an essay.
Cheating in any way on an exam, test or quiz.
Lying about details pertaining to an alleged
incident of academic dishonesty.
Whenever you are in doubt about the guidelines
for Academic Honesty, you should seek the advice of your teacher
or the teacher of the student you plan to assist.
Consequences for violating the Academic Honesty
Policy are severe. For first incidents, students will meet
with the teacher of the class in which the violation occurred,
his/her advisor, and the Academic Dean. For a repeat violation,
the student meets with a Discipline Committee of his/her teachers
and advisor as well as the Academic Dean, who will make a
recommendation to the Headmaster. In most cases of academic
dishonesty, the student will take a zero for the work and
redo it to be re-instated in the course. Consequences for
students who provide unauthorized assistance to another, but
who are not enrolled in the course in which the violation
occurred, will be voted upon by those present at the Academic
Honesty hearing and will be presented to the Headmaster as
the recommended course of action. Finally, the Academic Dean
will call the student's parent(s) and place a note or letter
in the student's file. Any student found to be in violation
of the Academic Honesty Policy may be suspended and/or dismissed,
and placed on Academic Probation for the remainder of the
year.
Academic Probation
If at any time during the term a student's teachers share
a concern that the student's work is far below potential,
or that he or she is failing one or more classes, the student
may be placed on Academic Probation.
A student on Academic Probation must satisfy a number of conditions,
which typically represent a minimum level of expectations
for behavior in class, preparation of assignments, attendance
and grades. These conditions vary according to each student's
needs and abilities. A letter outlining the specific terms
of Academic Probation is sent to the student's parents, and
a copy goes to the student, advisor, and his/her academic
file. At the midterm and end of each term, the teachers meet
again to determine whether or not the student has met the
conditions of the probation. If a student has demonstrated
significant improvement while of Academic Probation, a recommendation
to remove him/her from Probation is considered. Like all students
on any type of probation, students on Academic Probation are
reviewed by the faculty at end-of-year meetings. If the conditions
are not satisfied, the student faces the possibility of dismissal
from the Academy or not being invited to return the following
year.
Meetings of Concern
Administrators, teachers and/or students may request a Meeting
of Concern (MOC) in the event of academic difficulty. In a
MOC, which most frequently takes place in the Academic Dean's
Office, teachers discuss and evaluate a student's academic
performance, progress and effort. The intention of such meetings
is to share information and to develop a plan to meet a student's
needs more effectively.
Computer Use Policies
Cushing Academy provides computers and peripheral equipment
for students to use in classroom exploration, independent
research and communication with others around the world. Use
of school computers is considered a privilege.
A complete list of all policies regarding computer and network
use is detailed in the Acceptable Use Contract. The following
is a brief summary of that contract. Students should acquaint
themselves with the Cushing Academy Acceptable Use Contract
and adhere to its policies when making use of school computers
and the Cushing network. Violation of any of the policies
may result in disciplinary action and loss of computer and
network privileges.
Network Use
Students may not access inappropriate sites on the Internet,
including sites that contain offensive language, pornography
and/or illegal content. Accessing, downloading and sharing
information from such sites may result in disciplinary action.
Hacking, software piracy and other illegal activity
will not be tolerated. Students may not attempt to defeat
security software or alter any aspect of the system software
on any computer. Students may not attempt to gain access to
other people's passwords, files or computers. Students may
not use the network for any personal gain or enterprise. Students
may not run any servers or programs that interfere with the
operation of the network.
CushNet Use During Study Hall
During Study Hall, students may not engage in private emailing,
use Instant Messaging, use the Internet or CushNet for non-academic
purposes or play games. Students who violate this rule, at
the discretion of the dorm head and/or a Dean, will temporarily
lose network privileges or have their computers removed from
their rooms.
We expect the same behavior in the use of computers that we
do in all areas of Cushing life. Students must always use
appropriate language and exhibit proper respect for others.
Violation of these and any other rules in the Cushing Academy
Acceptable Use Contract will result in the same disciplinary
actions that would result from similar violations in other
areas of Cushing life.
Student Attendance Policies
A "cut" is an unexcused absence from class. If a
student knows that he or she will be unable to attend a class,
the student is responsible for notifying the appropriate faculty
member(s) as far in advance as possible. The Health Center,
the Dean of Academics, the Dean of Students and/or the Headmaster
may excuse a student's absence from class. A faculty member
may excuse an absence only in the event of extenuating circumstances.
It is the responsibility of the student alone to obtain an
excuse for each absence or lateness. Failure to do so results
in a cut. Three unexcused lates constitute one cut.
If a student is absent for any reason, he or
she should attend Extra Help for the missed class as soon
as possible (usually the day of the absence). The Extra Help
session is intended to help the student catch up on missed
work. Failure to attend this session jeopardizes the student's
progress in the class, and he or she loses the opportunity
to make up the missed work if the absence is unexcused.
Different circumstances surrounding a particular number of
cuts may lead to a variety of consequences for the student.
Set forth below are examples of consequences which may result
from cutting classes. Notwithstanding these guidelines, a
student who cuts classes may also face a Disciplinary Committee.
First Cut: The student must attend
a mandatory Extra Help session.
Second Cut: The student must attend
a mandatory Extra Help session, and the Attendance Secretary
notifies the student and his or her advisor that a second
cut has accumulated.
Third Cut: The student must attend
a two-hour Sunday morning detention. A student on the detention
list also receives a weekend of campus restrictions (no weekend
trips or overnight privileges). In addition, a letter is sent
to parent(s)/guardian(s) notifying them that the student has
accumulated a third cut.
Fourth Cut: The student is interviewed
by the Attendance Committee. The student's pattern of absences
is discussed, a case worker is assigned, and a plan to curtail
further absences is constructed. The student is assigned a
three-hour Sunday morning detention and a weekend of campus
restrictions (no weekend trips or overnight privileges). In
addition, a letter outlining the student's attendance pattern,
a report on the interview, and notification of the consequences
of further absences is sent to parent(s)/guardian(s) by the
chair of the Attendance Committee.
Fifth Cut: The student meets again
with the Attendance Committee to discuss the seriousness of
the situation and to review the attendance plan. The student
receives additional detention hours and a weekend of campus
restrictions (no weekend trips or overnight privileges). In
addition, a Dean calls the parent(s)/ guardian(s) to apprise
them of the situation.
Sixth Cut: A Dean, after reviewing
the case with the student and the chair of the Attendance
Committee, recommends an appropriate course of action to the
Headmaster.
Seventh Cut: A student who reaches
this stage is sending a strong message to the school that
he or she simply cannot come to terms with the responsibility
of attending classes. A Disciplinary Committee meeting results.
In addition, a meeting with the student, the parent(s)/guardian(s)
and the Headmaster may be arranged to discuss the student's
future at the Academy.
Day Student Attendance Policy
Day students are subject to all school policies and rules
regarding attendance. All day students must follow the following
procedures when they will miss class(es):
Day student parents must
call the Academic Office (978-827-7012) between 8:00 -
9:00 a.m. if their child will miss class that day. If
a call is not made by 9:00 a.m., the student will receive
up to a full day of unexcused class absences.
The student is responsible
for all missed assignments. The student must call the
Academic Office between 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. to collect
assignments for the day.
If a day student is missing
only part of the day, he or she must attend Extra Help
to collect assignments for missed classes.
Once they are on campus,
day students must attend all of their classes and commitments.
When day students are ill, they must report to the Health
Center in order to be excused from classes.
The student must provide
the Dean of Students' Office with written confirmation
of off-campus medical appointments.
Though restriction of overnight privileges does not apply
to day students, these students will be assigned Sunday detention
if they accumulate three or more unexcused absences. In the
case of excessive absences (six or more), a day student will
be required to meet with a committee of his or her teachers
and advisor, a Dean and/or the Headmaster. A day student who
has met with a Discipline Committee for repeated violations
of the Attendance Policy may be suspended or dismissed.
Attendance Probation
Students who have four cuts or fewer in a term begin the next
term with a "clean slate." However, students who
have accumulated five or more cuts in a term are placed on
Attendance Probation for the next term. If students reach
midterm with no further cuts, they are removed from Probation
and given a "clean slate" for the remainder of the
term. If students accumulate additional cuts before midterm,
they are assigned detention hours and restricted to campus
on weekends, and may, at the discretion of the Headmaster,
be suspended. Students on Attendance Probation are reviewed
by the faculty at the end of the term and may face dismissal
from the Academy if no improvement in attendance has resulted.
Excused Absences
Students are expected to be on campus for all school days.
However, parents or guardians may ask the Dean of Students
to consider granting students off-campus permission in cases
of significant importance. A clear and reasonable policy guides
the decision-making process in these instances. The Dean of
Students uses the following criteria when considering such
requests:
A student and his or her
family must have a compelling reason for any request to
miss class days. Permission from parents by fax or phone
must be received before a request is considered.
A student with chronic
absences is less likely to be granted permission to
miss class days.
A student who is experiencing
academic difficulty - one or more grades under 65 - is
clearly at risk if school days are missed and is less
likely to be granted permission.
If a student has received
permission to miss classes previously, subsequent permissions
are less likely to be granted.
Failure to meet one or more of the criteria
above would most likely result in the school's refusal to
condone missed class days. Students who leave school on unsanctioned
trips may face a Disciplinary Committee upon their return
to campus and may not make up for credit any missed academic
work.
If a student is granted permission to miss class
days, regardless of the reason, he or she is assigned a weekend
restriction for each day of school missed. For instance, if
a student misses two school days, he or she receives two overnight
restrictions on the weekend following his or her return to
campus.
This policy accommodates students with good
academic and attendance records who have legitimate reasons
for missing school. At the same time, the policy protects
the interests of students whose reasons for leaving are questionable
and who would cause themselves unnecessary harm by missing
school. The criteria for granting permission to miss school
is the same for all day students. Parents should forward all
such requests to the Dean of Students at 978-827-7015.
Participation in Non-Cushing Tournaments and Activities
Cushing students who play on non-Cushing teams
and who are invited to participate in tournaments/ activities
which conflict with their Cushing schedules may apply for
permission to be excused from these commitments for a period
not to exceed five class days, one time per academic year.
Generally, requests for such permission must be submitted
in writing to the Director of Academic Affairs by a parent
or guardian 30 days in advance of the leave.Cushing employs
the following guidelines to determine a student's eligibility.
At a minimum, the student will be earning no grade below 75
and no effort grade less than "good;" have a maximum
of two unexcused absences per term or five in the current
academic year; not be on social or academic probation; and
complete all coursework before returning to Cushing.
Should there be a need, parents or guardians
of students requesting such permission must pay for tutorial
assistance and proctoring of tests and quizzes upon the student's
return. Parents are also responsible for overseeing the student's
completion of all assignments, which will be provided in advance.
In addition to the above criteria, students must submit a
Yellow Form, which notifies all advisors, teachers, the Director
of Academic Affairs, Dean of Students and Director of Athletics
of the student's approved absence.
If a student requesting such a leave has taken
a similar leave in a previous year, his/her adherence to the
above guidelines at that time will be considered in the subsequent
request. The final decision on such requests is made by the
Headmaster. Non-compliance with this policy may result in
termination of the student's enrollment at the Academy.
Excused Absence for College Visits
Seniors will only be permitted to miss two class days for
college visits, provided they have scheduled appointments
and submitted the proper Cushing forms to the Student Life
Office in advance. This privilege, however, will not be open
to juniors. The Cushing calendar provides ample time during
the college counseling cycle for students to visit colleges.
Students and parents are urged to plan visits in a timely
fashion without interfering with academic work at Cushing.
Please contact the Director of College Counseling or the Dean
of Students if you have any questions.
