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Code of Ethics

The standards we expect from every member of our staff and how we hold ourselves accountable.

Standards of Ethical Conduct

Dade Prep Academy values the worth and dignity of every person, the pursuit of truth, devotion to excellence, the acquisition of knowledge, and the nurture of democratic citizenship. Our primary concern is the student and the development of every student’s potential.

Every member of our staff — instructional and support — agrees to conduct themselves according to the standards below as a condition of employment.

Protecting students

All instructional personnel and support staff:

  • Shall make reasonable effort to protect students from conditions harmful to learning, mental health, or physical health and safety.
  • Shall not unreasonably restrain a student from independent action in pursuit of learning.
  • Shall not unreasonably deny a student access to diverse points of view.
  • Shall not intentionally suppress or distort subject matter relevant to a student’s academic program.
  • Shall not intentionally expose a student to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement.
  • Shall not intentionally violate or deny a student’s legal rights.
  • Shall not harass or discriminate against any student on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, handicapping condition, sexual orientation, or social and family background, and shall make reasonable effort to assure that each student is protected from harassment or discrimination.
  • Shall not exploit a relationship with a student for personal gain or advantage.
  • Shall keep in confidence personally identifiable information obtained in the course of professional service, unless disclosure serves professional purposes or is required by law.

Standards for employee conduct

All employees:

  • Shall maintain honesty in all professional dealings.
  • Shall not, on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, handicapping condition (if otherwise qualified), or social and family background, deny a colleague professional benefits or advantages, nor participate in actions that interfere with civil rights.
  • Shall not engage in harassment or discriminatory conduct that unreasonably interferes with another employee’s performance or creates a hostile, intimidating, or offensive environment, and shall make reasonable effort to assure that each individual is protected from such harassment or discrimination.
  • Shall not make malicious or intentionally false statements about a colleague.

Training and reporting

All instructional personnel, educational support employees, and administrators are required, as a condition of employment, to complete training on these standards.

Examples of misconduct

The following are examples of conduct prohibited by this policy:

  • Use of obscene language with or in the presence of students
  • Drug or alcohol use during work hours, or reporting to work under the influence
  • Disparaging comments, prejudice, or sexual innuendo
  • Cheating or assisting in cheating
  • Physical aggression toward students or colleagues
  • Offering favors or accepting gifts in exchange for preferential treatment

How to report

Legally sufficient allegations of misconduct by Florida-certified educators are reported to the Florida Office of Professional Practices Services.

Reporting child abuse, abandonment, or neglect

All school employees and agents must report any actual or suspected case of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect.

Signs of physical abuse

Unexplained bruises or injuries, withdrawn behavior, fear of going home, avoiding physical contact, unexplained aggression, and inappropriate clothing for the weather (e.g. long sleeves in summer) may all be signs of physical abuse.

Signs of sexual abuse

Torn or stained underwear, difficulty walking or sitting, genital pain, sexually transmitted disease, age-inappropriate sexual knowledge, fear of a particular person, and sudden weight changes may all be signs of sexual abuse.

Signs of neglect

Unattended medical needs, poor supervision, poor hygiene, being underweight, fatigue, hunger, stealing food, and seeking excessive adult attention may all be signs of neglect.

Serious abuse usually involves a combination of factors. While a single sign may not be significant, a pattern of physical or behavioral signs is a serious indicator and should be reported.

Legal protection

Good-faith reporters of suspected child abuse are immune from civil and criminal liability under Florida law (F.S. 39.203).

Employers disclosing employee information to prospective employers are also protected from liability unless the information is knowingly false or violates any civil right (F.S. 768.095).