Demerit System

Townsend Harris High School Demerit System

Character, citizenship and integrity are an integral part of life at Townsend Harris.   Students are expected to be responsible citizens who exhibit these qualities and respect the rules that govern our community.   When students fail to follow the rules, they are held accountable for their actions.   Students who violate school rules are subject to the penalties outlined in the Citywide Standards of Discipline as well as the Townsend Harris Code of Behavior and demerit system.  

The demerit system is an objective method of monitoring the behavior and citizenship of students while providing valuable lessons in responsibility, accountability and social development.   Demerits are assessed for violations of the Townsend Harris Code of Behavior and/or the Citywide Standards of Discipline.   The accrual of an excessive number of demerits may result in student exclusion or disqualification from

• Extracurricular activities, organizations, teams and trips
• Townsend Harris Honor Societies
• Townsend Harris Diploma endorsement
• Graduation Awards

Demerits are recorded on the student's disciplinary record and do not become a part of the students' permanent record or transcript.   Offenses that result in suspension will automatically disqualify a student from all extracurricular activities/honor societies, place the student on probation and may become a part of the permanent record.

Students may be placed on probation as the result of a suspension, any serious offense or an excessive number of demerits.   Students on probation may not participate in extracurricular activities and are ineligible for honor societies.   The principal will determine the length of the probationary period.   Students may request a hearing at the midpoint to shorten their probation.

Demerits are cumulative and remain a part of the student's active disciplinary record for one calendar year from the date of the infraction.

Violations that occur on the Queens College campus are subject to Townsend Harris and Queens College disciplinary action.

Citizenship is a factor in all Townsend Harris awards.

Any student guilty of plagiarism or other academic dishonesty after grade nine may be disqualified from any academic awards, graduation awards and honor societies.

Any single disqualifying offense may exclude a student from any of these activities.

Demerits are cumulative and remain a part of the student's active disciplinary record for one calendar year.