As we prepare to welcome our students back for the 2025–26 school year, we want to share an important update to our Academic Integrity Policy at Mountain House High School.
This policy was developed to align with LUSD BP 5131.9 and AR 6163.4, which reinforces a simple but powerful value: honesty matters—in school, in life, and in the pursuit of personal growth.
What's Changing?
Academic integrity is about more than just avoiding cheating or plagiarism; it’s about learning with integrity, building character, and taking pride in your own work. Whether students are writing essays, collaborating on projects, or using new technologies like AI tools, we want them to make choices that reflect effort, honesty, and curiosity.
Our updated Academic Integrity Contract outlines the following:
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Clear definitions of cheating, plagiarism, and unauthorized use of technology (including AI tools).
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Encouragement for students to seek support when they are unsure about how to cite, paraphrase, or appropriately use educational tools.
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A tiered system of consequences based on the severity and frequency of violations, which are focused on learning and reflection (especially for first-time incidents).
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Guidelines on what types of technology use are permitted (like using tools for grammar or research) and what is not (e.g., using AI to generate an entire assignment).
You can view a full summary of the policy in our Student Handbook by clicking here.
How Can You Support Your Student?
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Encourage your student to ask questions early. Our teachers are ready to support students who are unsure about how to use sources, cite ideas, or use online tools responsibly.
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Talk with your student about the importance of doing their own work, even when the pressure is high.
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Remind them that making mistakes is part of learning and that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Why This Matters:
This policy is not about punishment; it’s about preparing our students to be ethical thinkers, responsible citizens, and confident learners. In a world where information is everywhere and new technologies are constantly emerging, we want MHHS students to lead with integrity and purpose.
Thank you for partnering with us in fostering a culture where honesty, effort, and learning are celebrated. If you have any questions about the policy or how we will support our students, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our administrative team at your convenience.
We look forward to a fantastic year ahead! GO MUSTANGS!
Sincerely,
Dr. Adam Auerbach, Ed.D.
Principal, Mountain House High School