The Honor Council: Celebrating Student Voices at Leysin American School

Recently, students and staff at Leysin American School gathered for a special end-of-year dinner to celebrate the outstanding work of the Honor Council, an essential group of students dedicated to upholding the values of our school community. At LAS, we take pride in providing leadership opportunities that empower students to engage in decision-making and help shape their school environment. These experiences give students a voice and develop their leadership, communication, and critical thinking skills. We are incredibly proud of the Honor Council members for their thoughtful contributions throughout the year!

The Honor Council plays an important role at LAS, serving as a fair and principled body that reviews student conduct violation cases brought forward by the Dean of Students Office (DOS). When a major conduct infraction occurs, during the academic day or within the realm of dorm life, the Dean of Students office may convene the school’s Honor Council if a hearing is justified. The committee reports their opinion to the Dean of Students’ Office. In cases where a hearing is not justified, the Dean will determine the consequence. When this happens, the Honor Council steps in to hear both sides of the case and offer its opinion on the outcome.

Composed of selected student representatives and members of the DOS, the Honor Council is guided by a commitment to justice, integrity, and the LAS Code of Conduct. These students demonstrate ethical leadership and understand the courage it takes to make difficult decisions, even when those decisions involve their peers. They are trusted to set aside personal relationships in order to uphold the principles that keep our school community safe and respectful.

To honor the commitment and outstanding leadership of the Honor Council, we hosted a sushi dinner last week. It was a fantastic event that helped our students and staff reflect on the group’s impact throughout the year and express our gratitude for their work. We also took time to bid farewell to our graduating seniors, whose involvement on the council was very impactful. Thank you to this year’s Honor Council for their service, and we look forward to welcoming new members who will continue this important committee!

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Picture of Leysin American School in Switzerland

Leysin American School in Switzerland

Located in the breathtaking Swiss Alps, Leysin American School has a history of nurturing talent and motivating students to succeed in education, sports, and the arts. The boarding school bring together students from around the world to create a campus community with a global perspective and a family atmosphere. LAS offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma, a comprehensive US university preparatory curriculum, and, for non-native English speakers, an integrated English Language Acquisition (ELA) program.

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