Behavioral Probation is a means of warning students that their actions are seriously misaligned with standards and expectations of the Rhetoric School. It is intended to convey to students that unless significant improvement occurs, they will be unable to continue at Geneva. Students are normally placed on Behavioral Probation if they reach five demerits during any semester. However, the headmaster or dean of students can place a student with fewer demerits on Behavioral Probation if the situation merits such a consequence.
Excessive absences (more than 15% of a class) place a student on Behavioral Probation. Students may lose credit for a course if their absences exceed 25% of a class (see Attendance policies below).
Behavioral Probation resulting from excessive absences (more than 15% of a class) lasts a minimum of two weeks. Continued absences after a student is placed on Behavioral Probation will result in a continuation or additional time of probationary status.
Behavioral Probation resulting from the accumulation of demerits or an egregious behavioral offense will last a minimum of four weeks. The length of probation is ultimately determined by the RS headmaster and/or dean of students. Rhetoric students on Behavioral Probation are not allowed to participate in any Geneva extracurricular activities. For sports or other activities, this means that any student on Behavioral Probation may not participate in games or scrimmages or travel to away contests/competitions during the school day. Participation in practices is determined on a case-by-case status based on the reason for a student’s probationary status. During Behavioral Probation, students are required to spend one week in detention. Seniors on Behavioral Probation lose their off-campus privileges during the entire duration of their probationary period. This loss of off-campus privileges includes leaving campus for lunch (i.e., seniors on Behavioral Probation may not leave campus during lunch or off-periods).
At the end of the probationary period, the student is released from probation if he or she has clearly demonstrated a desire to change and receives a good report from each of her or his teachers. Release from Behavioral Probation is also contingent upon the student acquiring no additional demerits during the probationary period. Students who earn a demerit while on Behavioral Probation will serve an additional week of probation due to a lack of change in behavior (even if the demerit is for a different offense). Probation may be extended until all conditions are met, and the student demonstrates significant improvements. Students on Behavioral Probation may face suspension or expulsion for additional demerit-worthy offenses.
A student is not allowed to re-enroll for the following year while he or she is on Behavioral Probation. The decision regarding the reenrollment of a student who ends the year on Behavioral Probation is made by the administration after the conclusion of the school year and takes into account the student’s and parent’s ability and motivation to correct the problematic behavior.