Character Education
At Tower Hill, we aim to cultivate our students’ sense of self-respect, dignity, reverence, and concern for the lives of others. Tower Hill takes character education seriously; we believe that development begins in early childhood and should continue throughout one’s lifetime, extending well beyond the classroom. Starting in Preschool, we introduce children to our school Code of Conduct, which stipulates that students should be respectful, responsible and honest school citizens. This expectation guides student development through twelfth grade and beyond, inspiring our students’ growth as individuals and community members.
Lower School - Code of Conduct
As a citizen of the Lower School:
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I pay attention to the world around me.
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I notice how I treat others and I am kind.
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I understand that it is my job to take care of my environment.
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I recognize that we are different and that we learn from each other.
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I am honest about what I do and say.
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I work together with my friends and teachers to make my school a safe and enjoyable place for all of us.
Middle School - Code of Conduct
As a member of the middle school COMMUNITY at Tower Hill, I have agreed to follow and sign the Character Code of Conduct described below, created and written by Middle School students.
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I will be RESPECTFUL toward my classmates and their belongings. I will be mindful of what I say to other people whether it is on paper, through an electronic device, or spoken out loud.
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I will be KIND and treat my classmates the way I want to be treated.
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I will demonstrate all of these character traits on a daily basis by actively participating in class, by keeping my locker clean and my belongings organized, by seeking out a teacher for help when I am struggling and by being RESPONSIBLE for everything I put my name on.
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Suggested responses when students witness others violating any of the codes of conduct:
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Confronting the individual as soon as you can, telling the student you saw what happened.
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Ask the student to turn themself in to the teacher most connected to the situation.
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Reporting the student to a teacher yourself.
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Letting your advisor or parent know what has happened and seeking advice from them.
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Nondenominational chapels are designed to offer students an opportunity to present and consider important values in Middle School. The themes for each assembly are connected to our advisory program, and topics may include Gratitude, Community, Kindness, Empathy and Leadership. The goal of the assemblies is to inspire students to take note of their actions, paying particular attention to how these actions, positive or negative, may affect others.
The Middle School advisory program also provides students and teachers the opportunity to get to know one another in small group environments. Advisors act as a sounding board, a voice and an advocate for each advisee. Over the course of the year, advisors help each student find academic success, develop a strong moral character and become a self-advocate. Advisors communicate regularly with parents and hold formal and informal conferences.
Upper School - Code of Conduct
In fostering strong character development and a positive culture, our goal is to maintain a secure, challenging and nurturing school in which and because of which students thrive. We strive to help students to develop and maintain a strong sense of their own integrity and a respect for others. To promote this goal, students are expected to be honest, kind, socially responsible, diligent and dignified.
Students are held to a high standard of integrity and are expected to appropriately seek help and report problems when difficult or questionable circumstances arise. We encourage students to seek help and report problems on their own without parental involvement as much as possible to take ownership for their own growth and the stewardship of their community.
The standards of student conduct are designed to provide students with guidance to help them meet the goals and expectations of our community. The list of rules and policies should be read carefully. Violations will result in serious consequences, up to and including suspension or dismissal from school. Students may also be held responsible for any damage or harm that they cause to individuals, property and/or the school community at large.
The mission of the Upper School advisory program is to create a safe and supportive space for students to connect, reflect, create academic goals and discover ways in which they can engage with the greater community. Our faculty advisors are here to help students navigate daily life at Tower Hill, both academically and personally; the program offers meaningful opportunities for active citizenship, leadership and cooperative group exercises, and serves as a forum for the sharing of ideas relevant to school life and team building.
In addition to the advisory program, Upper School students have a Class Dean who is the steward of the class and is available as another layer of support throughout the Upper School years. Class Deans work in close collaboration with advisors to ensure students have all of the support needed in order to be successful.
