Metropolitan Preparatory Academy is committed to providing a safe and healthy learning environment for all students.

Parents and guardians are expected to:

• Review the Code of Conduct with their child and help them understand the outlined expectations and regulations.
• Take an active role in their child’s education including their attendance, behaviour, academic progress and school involvement.

ATTENDANCE & TARDINESS

Attendance is mandatory. After fifteen (15) illegitimate absences in a course, credit for that course will not be granted. Each three (3) lates count as one (1) absence. Legitimate absences include religious holidays, medical or dental appointments, Metro Prep sports events, and school trips.

Absence Policy

• All absences must be reported to the Attendance Office by a parent or guardian by phone or email. All unexplained absences will result in a phone call to a parent or guardian to confirm the reason for the absence.
• Unexplained absences are considered SKIPS.
• A student who wishes to be dismissed early from school must sign out at the main office. Sign-outs require parent or guardian permission.
• Students who are absent from class are expected to get missed notes and material from a classmate and/or Blackbaud. It is the student’s responsibility to promptly complete any missed work and arrange for any missed assessments to be completed with their teacher.

Late Policy

• Students are expected to arrive to class prepared and on time. If a student arrives after the start of class, they must obtain a late slip from the Attendance Office before being admitted to class.
• Not being in class will affect the student’s overall mark for the Attendance/Participation component of the Course Evaluation.

Skip Policy

• Skipping class is inexcusable. Students who are absent from class without a valid reason will be subject to the following consequences:
  • 1st Offence: Phone call to parent or guardian from the Attendance Office. The student must make up the class with the teacher on the teacher’s Late Night.
  • 2nd Offence: Phone call to parent or guardian from the Attendance Office and teacher. The student must make up the class with the teacher on the teacher’s Late Night.
• Subsequent skips will result in further repercussions involving the Vice Principal and the Teacher. Repercussions may include parental contact, suspension and/or expulsion. All class time and material must be made up.

SCHOOL & CLASSROOM CONDUCT

• Students are to respect the authority of school staff, follow classroom rules and take responsibility for their own actions.
• To leave a class, students must ask the teacher for permission. Only one student at a time is allowed to leave the classroom to use the washroom.
• Students are not allowed to freely roam the classroom, and must have permission from the teacher before leaving their seat during instructional time.
• Students on spare must refrain from roaming the hallways. They are to be in the computer or study area doing homework, the cafeteria or outside. Students are not to interrupt classes.
• Due to food allergies, students are not allowed to eat or drink in the classrooms and study areas. Eating is only allowed in the cafeteria and at the outdoor picnic tables.
• Students must be responsible for their books, backpacks and contents. Each student is supplied with a locker and is expected to use it. Do not leave your books or backpacks in the hallways or in an unlocked room. The school will not be responsible for any loss or theft of personal belongings.
• For the respect of others, please keep classrooms, common areas and washrooms clean.
• Students are expected to express themselves with socially acceptable language and gestures that contribute to an orderly and safe learning environment.
• Students are to treat one another with dignity, respect and fairness, regardless of race, culture, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, ability or any other attribute. Students must avoid all forms of intimidation, harassment, racism, and discrimination.
• Students must refrain from bullying behaviour, which is considered to be any repeated, negative behaviour intended to cause fear, distress and/or harm to another person’s body, feelings, self-esteem or reputation. This includes cyber-bullying. Any form of bullying will not be tolerated. In general, your behaviour should show respect and consideration for others, including adults and peers.
• Students are to take appropriate action to help those in need, seeking assistance to resolve conflict constructively and respectfully through discussion or by seeking assistance from school personnel.
• Students must refrain from bringing anything to school, or using anything inappropriately, that may risk the safety of themselves or others. The possession of any form of a weapon is strictly prohibited.
• Any student who damages or is caught stealing school property will be punished and will be required to replace the damaged or stolen articles.
• There is to be absolutely no smoking or vaping on school property. Students who engage in this behaviour at school or while attending any school related event or activity will be suspended.
• Alcohol and illegal drugs are strictly forbidden. Students who come to school with illegal substances or in an impaired state will be immediately suspended and the police will be notified.
• Students are not allowed to listen to music during class unless the teacher gives permission. No headphones or earbuds can be worn during instructional time.
• Students may use a laptop or tablet to take down class notes. If found playing games, watching movies or engaging in any activities unrelated to class material, the student will not be allowed to bring the device to class.

STUDENT CELL PHONE POLICY (Effective September 2026)

Metropolitan Preparatory Academy follows an“Off and Away” cell phone policy during instructional time to reduce classroom distractions and help students stay focused.

During Class Time

Students are expected to arrive at each class ready to learn, with phones off and away.

• All cell phones must be turned off or set to silent, andstored in lockers before class begins.
• Phones are not to be kept on desks, in pockets, or used during lessons unless a teacher has specifically authorized their use for an educational purpose.

Outside of Class Time

• Students may access and use their cell phones during thelunch period and after the school day has ended.

Contacting Students During the School Day

• Parents and guardians who need to reach their child during the school day should contact the school office.
• Likewise, students who need to contact home during class time should speak with a teacher or visit the office.

Our Commitment

The purpose of this policy is not to eliminate technology, but to encourage meaningful learning, respectful classroom interactions, and healthy balance. By keeping phones off and away during class, we create an environment where everyone can participate fully, collaborate effectively, and achieve their best.

ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITY & INTEGRITY

Cheating & Plagiarism

Students are expected to demonstrate honesty and integrity in all academic work. This includes refraining from plagiarism, misrepresentation of original work, the use of unauthorized aids, and the theft or unauthorized possession of assessment or evaluation materials.

Plagiarism and cheating are serious breaches of academic honesty. A student found cheating on an examination or test will receive a mark of zero (0) for that assessment. A plagiarized assignment may also receive a mark of zero (0).

Incomplete Assignments & Assessments

• Students who fail to hand in an assignment when due must make arrangements with the teacher to submit the missing material. This may not be possible for all assignments, such as those that are reviewed immediately in class. In these cases, the student will receive a zero.
• If a student misses a test, the student must make arrangements with the teacher to write the test in a timely manner.

Final Examinations

• Please do not plan vacations or extracurricular activities during the examination week. Exams will NOT be moved.
• Credits will not be granted to students unless they write the final examinations. If a student misses a final examination due to illness, a doctor’s note must be received or the student will receive a zero.

UNIFORM REGULATIONS & DRESS CODE

Students must adhere to the uniform regulations while at school and during school activities or events. Clothing or accessories with obscenities, offensive language and/or offensive graphics are not permitted.

Formal Mondays

Every Monday is Metro Professional Day. Students are expected to wear formal uniform attire, including:

• Dress shirt or blouse
• Dress pants or school kilt with appropriate socks or tights
• Metro school blazer with crest
• Metro school tie
• Dress shoes or clean professional footwear
• Belt
• Gym uniform during physical education classes or sporting events

Uniforms Tuesday Through Friday

From Tuesday through Friday, students may select from the approved uniform options below. All students are expected to maintain a neat, professional appearance.

• School polo (long or short sleeved) or dress shirt/blouse
• Uniform pants with belt or school kilt
• School cardigan or sweater
• Clean and appropriate footwear
• Gym uniform during physical education classes or sporting events

Field Trips and “Out-of-Uniform Days”

Staff will advise students whether the school uniform is required for a field trip or other off-campus activity. As a general rule, students are expected to be in uniform for all school-related activities unless told otherwise.

The last Friday of each month will be “Civies Day” when students may choose their own clothing, provided that it complies with the dress code below. Announcements and reminders will be posted on Blackbaud.

Dress Code for Out-of-Uniform Days and Events

The following applies whenever students are not in uniform, including Civvies Day, out-of-uniform field trips, and other school events:

• NO hats
• NO ripped or torn clothing
• NO spaghetti straps, crop tops or muscle shirts
• NO clothing that exposes the midriff or stomach
• NO extremely short miniskirts or shorts
• NO clothing with obscenities or offensive literature
• NO clothing promoting drugs, smoking or alcohol

SUSPENSION & EXPULSION

In June 2007, the provincial government passed Bill 212, the Education Amendment Act on behaviour, discipline and safety. Its provisions took effect on February 1, 2008.

We recognize that each student is unique and that every situation that requires disciplinary action usually has its own extenuating circumstances. All factors will be considered before discipline is given out. A progressive discipline approach will be used for inappropriate behaviour, which may include oral reminders, review of classroom and school expectations, contact with parents, and detentions which can include volunteer services to the school community.

According to the new legislation, a principal may suspend a student up to 20 days and in considering the length of the suspension, he will take into account any extenuating circumstances.

A pupil who is suspended from school is also suspended from engaging in all school-related activities.

Incidents for which Metropolitan Preparatory Academy will suspend a student include:

• Patterns of behaviour so inappropriate, that the student’s presence is detrimental to the learning or working environment of others.
• Uttering a threat to inflict serious bodily harm on another person.
• Smoking or vaping on school property.
• Possessing alcohol or illegal drugs.
• Being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.
• Swearing at a teacher or at another person in a position of authority.
• Committing an act of vandalism that causes damage to school property.
• Bullying and/or cyber-bullying.
• Theft of school or another student’s property.
• Committing any act considered by the principal to have a negative impact on
  • the moral tone of the school
  • the physical or mental well-being of another student or staff member of Metro Prep Academy

Incidents for which Metropolitan Preparatory Academy will expel a student include:

• Possessing a weapon, including possessing a firearm.
• Using a weapon to cause or to threaten bodily harm to another person.
• Committing physical assault on another person that causes bodily harm requiring medical treatment.
• Committing sexual assault.
• Trafficking in illegal drugs or weapons.
• Giving alcohol to a minor.
• Demonstration of resistance to changes in behavior that has resulted in creating an ineffective learning or working environment for other students.