Integrity Policy
Last updated: November 2026
At True North Virtual School, every credit means something because the work behind it is honest. This policy explains what academic integrity means, what isn’t allowed, and what happens if the rules are broken.
What academic integrity means
Academic integrity means doing your own work and being honest about it. It’s built on five values: honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility.
What isn’t allowed
Plagiarism, which includes:
- using someone else’s words or ideas without saying where they came from
- copying from a website, book or another student, even with small changes
- submitting work that someone else wrote, in whole or in part
Cheating, which includes:
- having someone else complete your assignments, tests or exam
- sharing your work or answers with other students
- buying or selling assignments, answers or exam questions
- using notes, websites or other help during a test or exam when it isn’t allowed
- submitting work you’ve already handed in for another course, without your teacher’s permission
- pretending to be another student, or letting someone pretend to be you
Using AI tools
AI tools like ChatGPT can’t do your work for you. Unless your teacher says otherwise for a specific task:
- Not allowed: submitting writing, answers, code or other work created by an AI tool as your own
- Allowed: using AI to understand a topic or check your spelling and grammar, as long as the ideas and writing are your own
- If you’re not sure whether something is allowed, ask your teacher before you submit
Your teacher may ask you to explain your work, show your drafts, or complete a short follow-up task to confirm the work is yours.
Final exams
Final exams are written under supervision. Students must follow the exam instructions, use only the materials allowed, and confirm their identity when asked.
What happens if the rules are broken
Each case is handled individually. We consider the student’s grade, maturity, how serious the incident was, and whether it has happened before. Consequences may include:
- a conversation with the teacher, and a chance to redo the work
- a mark of zero for the assignment, test or exam
- a note in the student’s Ontario Student Record
- removal from the course, without a refund, for serious or repeated incidents
For students under 18, we inform a parent or guardian of the incident and how it was resolved.
Our commitment
Teachers will explain what’s expected for each assignment, and they’re always happy to help students learn how to research, quote and cite sources correctly.
Contact us
Questions about this policy? Email us at tnvsinfo@gmail.com.