Honor and Character

Authored by Pingry students, 1926
Adopted by Pingry faculty, 1949
Revised, 1988

Pingry believes that students should understand and live by standards of honorable behavior, which are essentially a matter of attitude and spirit rather than a system of rules and regulations. Decent, self-respecting behavior must be based on personal integrity and genuine concern for others and on the ethical principles which are the basis of civilized society.

The members of the Pingry community should conduct themselves in a trustworthy manner that will further the best interests of the school, their class, and any teams or clubs to which they belong. They should act as responsible members of the community, working for the common good rather than solely for personal advantage. They should honor the rights of others, conducting themselves at all times in a moral and decent manner while at Pingry and throughout their lives as citizens of and contributors to the larger community of the world.

The Lower School Code of Honor seeks to empower students to cultivate a strong sense of self-worth and co-create a community where all are treated with dignity and respect.

Community
Aspire as a Team
Responsibility
Empathy
Self-Awareness

Community

• I will contribute, volunteer, and participate in activities and projects that benefit my community.
• I will help to take care of the school building and all its supplies and materials because it belongs to all of us.
• I will follow the guidelines stated in Pingry’s Dress Code and Acceptable Use of Technology Policy.
• I will be an upstander. 

Aspire as a Team

• I will contribute for the good of the group.
• I will be a good sport even when my idea is not chosen.
• I will listen to others and respond thoughtfully.
• I will look for opportunities to help others.

Responsibility

• I will keep a positive attitude.
• I will do the right thing because it's the right thing to do.
• I will do the right thing even when no one is watching.
• I will be truthful knowing there will be times when that is very hard to do.
• I will keep my word to myself and others.

Empathy

• I know that we are all different and will respect the needs of others. 
• I will be kind to others with my actions and my words.
• I will be respectful of the boundaries of others.
• I will strive to learn about the feelings of others.

Self-Awareness

• I will control the expression of my words and  thoughts and body language.
• I will take pride in my work,  school day, and community.
• I will be responsible for what I say and how I say it to others.
• I will care for myself and advocate for my own personal needs.

Revised July 2022

The Honor System, which governs the Honor Code, was established in 1926 on the initiative of the Senior Class Council and was approved by the Student Council and accepted and signed by all members of the School. It is one of the most respected traditions of The Pingry School. Under its provisions, all students will uphold their honor by never cheating on any quiz, test, or examination, and by not copying from any book or other student’s paper when doing homework. The Honor Code also applies to research done on the Internet. The purpose is to stimulate the moral growth of the student and to cultivate an atmosphere of trust and confidence between the faculty and student.