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Oakwood School

Code of Conduct and Behavioral Expectations

Oakwood expects students to abide by its conduct policies, and will take disciplinary action, as appropriate, and in the sole discretion of the School. Oakwood students are expected to exercise self‑discipline and to conduct themselves in ways that support the values of the school as outlined in the applicable Lower School Rights and Responsibilities, Middle School Students Rights and Expectations, or High School Students’ Responsibilities and Expectations and Honor Code. Students are responsible for understanding and following all school rules.

Violations of Oakwood policies as well as the following behavior listed below (which is a non-exhaustive list), may result in student discipline, up to and including suspension or expulsion:

Treatment of Others

  • Students should display good manners, appropriate language, kindness, and courtesy toward all.

  • Students should practice respect and inclusiveness towards others.

  • No member of the Oakwood community may mistreat another member by harassment, discrimination, retaliation, or bullying in any form. Such conduct is prohibited by the School’s policy on prevention of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation, or bullying in any form.

  • Student harassment, discrimination, retaliation, or bullying that does not take place on school property or at school events, such as through the internet or social media, is also prohibited by the School when it impacts a student’s/community member’s ability to function normally at school or disrupts the school/ learning environment or represents the school in a way that does not align with our core and community values.

  • Fighting or threat of physical violence towards another student, School employee, or parent, whether on or off campus, is prohibited.

  • Destroying, defacing, or stealing Oakwood property or the property of others is prohibited.

Personal Integrity and Responsibility

  • Students must turn in homework on time and arrive prepared for school every day.

  • Students must act with integrity and honesty in all matters.

  • Students should be on their best behavior at all times, including during classes, assemblies, athletic events, and field trips.

  • Students must demonstrate their best efforts to meet Oakwood’s academic, artistic, and athletic expectations.

  • Students should be positive, productive members of the school community. Students should contribute actively to the learning environment of the classroom or any other aspects of the Oakwood experience.

  • Students should comply with the Acceptable Technology Use and Social Media Policy, which states that on-campus technology will be used appropriately and for academic purposes.

  • Students should follow the guidelines for academic honesty, which state that students must not cheat or plagiarize.

Controlled Substances

  • Oakwood is a non-smoking campus. The school does not permit students to possess or use tobacco, or to possess or use vaping devices.

  • The school prohibits the use, possession, or distribution of any illegal drugs, intoxicants, marijuana, alcohol, or other controlled substances.

Dangerous Objects

Oakwood prohibits real or imitation weapons of any kind, fireworks, or any hazardous materials or objects. Any weapons or hazards will be confiscated by the School and the police may be contacted.

Reporting Conduct in Violation of this Policy

Students who experience or witness a breach of our Code of Conduct and Behavioral Expectations are encouraged to speak to a teacher or administrator as soon as it occurs. 

Disciplinary Procedures

Oakwood may take the following disciplinary measures and actions in its sole discretion pursuant to the following procedures. Please be aware that Oakwood is not required to follow any form of progressive discipline before making a determination to suspend or expel a student.  

  • Counseling. Students may receive counseling as a result of violating school rules and policies. Communication among students, teachers, and administrators helps students understand the nature of an infraction, its consequences, and appropriate responses for future situations.

  • Conference. When appropriate, the school will request a telephone or in-person conference to inform parents of inappropriate behavior with suggestions for parental action and support.

  • Suspension. The school may determine that a student suspension is appropriate. Suspension is a period of time in which the student is dismissed from school.

  • Expulsion. Oakwood reserves the right at any time to expel any student whose conduct is not compatible with the standards of the school.

Unless there are extenuating circumstances present, when a student is accused of engaging in misconduct, that student and his or her parents will have the opportunity to meet with the Head of School or her designee in order to respond to misconduct allegations prior to a disciplinary decision to suspend or expel a student becoming final. 

Drug and Alcohol-Free School

Possession or use of illegal drugs or alcohol on campus, or attending school or class, including school activities, under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol, is absolutely forbidden and will result in immediate discipline up to and including expulsion.  

Illegal drugs include prescription drugs without a valid prescription and the use of prescription drugs not in compliance with a valid prescription. Illegal drugs also include marijuana and any other cannabis product, which may not be possessed, used, or cultivated in or near schools.  

A student that the school has reasonable cause to believe to be selling or providing any illegal drugs or alcohol to other students – either on or off campus – may be subject to immediate discipline up to and including expulsion. 

If the school has reasonable suspicion to believe that a student is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, it may require that that student to submit to a drug or alcohol screening test. “Reasonable Suspicion” shall mean a belief based upon facts gathered from the totality of the circumstances that would cause a reasonable faculty member, administrator, or other employee to suspect that the student is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.  

Parents will be required to pay for any fees associated with alcohol or drug testing. A failure to permit the School to receive information as to whether the student passed or failed a drug or alcohol test may be treated as a failure to comply with a drug or alcohol testing requirement.

Any failure to abide with the School’s Drug and Alcohol-Free School Policy will result in discipline up to and including expulsion. 

Smoke and Tobacco Use

Per California state law, smoking (including vaping) is prohibited for all persons under the age of 21, except those between the ages of 18 and 21 who are in active duty service in the military.

Smoking, including e-cigarettes and vaping, is also prohibited by California state law in all workplaces, including schools.

Consistent with the provisions of California state law and also in compliance with the school’s own prohibitions against smoking on the school’s campus and by all enrolled students, the following provisions apply:

  • Students may not smoke/vape at or near the campus, or during school sponsored activities, even if such use takes place off campus. They also may not bring nicotine products to school and to school sponsored activities including school sponsored events off campus. This includes e-cigarettes/ “vaping” equipment.

  • Any failure to abide with the School’s no-tobacco/smoking policy may result in discipline up to and including expulsion.