ESD Eagles Begin the Year with the Code of Conduct Signing
September 12, 2025
As the academic year begins, The Episcopal School of Dallas community—comprised of students from Beginners to seniors, faculty, and staff—comes together for the annual signing of the Code of Conduct. This annual ritual is more than a formality; it is a solemn recommitment to the foundational ideals of Honor, Respect, and Integrity that guide life as a member of the ESD community.
The act of signing acknowledges an understanding of and commitment to a collective ethos, embracing the belief that everyone at ESD is created in the image of a loving God and thus deserves to be treated with honor, respect, and integrity. This foundational principle fosters an environment where mutual trust is the key to all interactions.
At the heart of the Code of Conduct is the simple yet powerful Honor Code: “I will not lie, cheat, or steal.” This commitment is not a mere set of rules but a system rooted in mutual trust.
- Lower School students are introduced to the virtues of honor and honesty by learning to treat one another as they wish to be treated.
- By Middle School, students begin to confirm their commitment to Honor, Respect, and Integrity by signing their graded assignments, a habit that continues through Upper School.
- Upper School students are expected to have a complete understanding of honorable work, to participate in the annual signing, and to write the Honor Code on their daily work.
This shared covenant extends far beyond academics, encompassing expectations for conduct in the broader ESD community, including extracurriculars, athletics, and social media engagement. Furthermore, adults—faculty, staff, and parents—are expected to embrace and model these principles, recognizing their role as role models of appropriate behavior.
After the signing event, the sheets bearing the signatures of the entire community are prepared for display, visible to all who enter the Swann Center. This collective exhibition serves as a tangible, year-long reminder of each member’s commitment to the ESD Code of Conduct.
The display acts as a visual touchstone, reminding all Eagles of their collective calling to do their best for themselves and others every day. It powerfully encapsulates the community’s pride in making a commitment to these higher ideals and the collective accountability when one falls short. The tradition ensures that ESD remains a community dedicated to developing the moral and spiritual strength—the character—essential to integrity.
