A Collective Commitment to our Community Pledge

“You may think the Community Pledge is just something you write at the top of your paper, a time to practice your signature,” began All-School President Rainey R. ’26 at Marlborough’s annual Community Pledge All-School Meeting (ASM). “But no,” she continued, “it is how we define our community. It is Marlborough students’ pledge to uphold and stand by our core values: stand with others, champion inclusion, aim high, trust in yourself, act with integrity, be kind, and cultivate purpose.”

Each year, the entire Marlborough community gathers to renew its commitment to our Community Pledge—the guiding principles that create an environment of honor, trust, individual responsibility, and mutual respect. At this year’s ASM, All-School Council and the Academic Integrity Council demonstrated how these values and this commitment create the community we all cherish.

Placing special emphasis on this year’s theme of Championing Inclusion, Council members broke it down into practical terms. “It is our responsibility to commit to both understanding and acknowledging our classmates and peers in and outside of the classroom,” Assembly Coordinator Mila K. ’26 explained. “This looks like accepting our differences and differing opinions when it comes to group work or just general discussion.”

Championing inclusion requires active awareness, being aware of others’ voices and ensuring they feel included and valued so that everyone in the Marlborough community can thrive. Or, more simply put by Mila: “How would we want to be treated by our peers? We should treat our peers by those same standards.”

But why does this matter so much? As All-School Community Partnerships Representative Maddie M. ’26 articulated, “Championing inclusion is imperative both inside the classroom and outside because it empowers every individual to feel valued, respected, and supported regardless of their background or identity. Inclusive environments foster collaboration, improved academic outcomes, and a stronger sense of belonging amongst all members of the community.”

To bring these concepts to life, Council members acted out brief skits illustrating both failures and successes in upholding the Community Pledge. One skit showed a student asking to join friends heading to Larchmont. When the friends rudely declined, the energy in Caswell Hall shifted. Council turned to the gathered students, asking “What went wrong?” Students immediately identified the problem and offered solutions. 

“They could have invited her to join them!” one student suggested, embodying a key theme that emerged throughout the ASM: the amount of energy it takes to be inclusive is negligible in comparison to the positive effect it has on others.

Academic Integrity Council (AIC) then shifted the focus to another crucial core value: acting with integrity. Lilly S. ’26 offered a clear definition: “Following our expectations and guidelines, being honest, not using AI or other materials when not permitted by your teacher, and not talking about a test or quiz until after everyone has received that test back.”

AIC shared some statistics about the integrity concerns that were brought to their attention last year, which fell into four main categories: AI use when not permitted, assistance from peers on graded assessments, over-collaboration with parents/guardians or tutors beyond acceptable limits, and integrity concerns during tests. Kelsey Y. ’29 encouraged her peers, “We can do better.”

On the theme of navigating artificial intelligence in academic work, Julia K. ’28 acknowledged the complexity of the situation. “The best way to get support or help whenever you have questions is meeting with your teacher, not using AI,” she advised. “For any writing assignments, make sure not to turn to AI to modify or create your ideas, because it often prevents your thoughts and creativity from actually coming through.”

However, AIC also outlined ways to use AI responsibly: as a study tool to test yourself on key terms after completing your own study guide or asking it to create a study schedule for an upcoming assessment. The critical requirement? “Whenever you use AI, cite your usage so that we maintain a culture of honesty here,” said Sophia L. ’27. 

Following the presentations from All-School Council and Academic Integrity Council, Class Presidents came forward to sign their names in our Community Pledge book, representing their class’ commitment to the community. All-School Council members also distributed purple yarn to every student to serve as a reminder of the commitment they make to one another and the community—a metaphor for how each member of the community is connected and every individual’s efforts matter.

Students were then dismissed to add their signatures to their class’ unique Community Pledge board; staff and faculty even have their own board to sign to pledge their commitment alongside the students. These signed boards hang on campus throughout the year, serving as visual reminders that the Community Pledge is more than words on a page. It is a living commitment that every member of the Marlborough community makes to create an environment where everyone can thrive—one thoughtful choice, one inclusive action, one act of integrity at a time.