Will Colleges See My Child’s School Disciplinary Record?

As parents, we invest countless hours helping our children prepare for college. From academic support to extracurricular activities, we do everything possible to position them for success. But what happens when a disciplinary issue at school threatens to derail these plans?

A common question we hear from worried parents is: “Will colleges see my child’s disciplinary record?” The answer isn’t simple, but understanding how disciplinary records factor into college admissions can help you navigate this challenging situation.

Do Colleges Look at Disciplinary Records?

Yes, colleges can and often do look at disciplinary records, but the process isn’t as straightforward as you might think.

When your child applies to college, their high school typically sends two important documents:

1. Academic transcript — Shows grades, GPA, and sometimes attendance
2. School profile or counselor report — May include information about disciplinary actions

Additionally, the Common Application (used by over 900 colleges) specifically asks students to disclose whether they’ve been found responsible for a disciplinary violation at any educational institution they’ve attended.

However, several important factors determine what colleges actually see:

What Types of Disciplinary Records Do Colleges Care About?

Not all disciplinary incidents carry the same weight. Generally speaking, colleges are concerned with serious infractions that might indicate character issues or potential problems on their campus.

Minor disciplinary issues that typically won’t significantly impact admissions:

• Occasional detentions
• Tardiness
• Dress code violations
• Minor classroom disruptions

More serious issues that colleges may scrutinize:

• Suspensions (in-school or out-of-school)
• Expulsions
• Academic dishonesty (cheating, plagiarism)
• Bullying or harassment
• Drug or alcohol violations
• Criminal charges that resulted in school discipline

Your Child’s Rights Regarding Disciplinary Records

It’s important to understand that your child has certain privacy protections when it comes to school records.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) provides important protections:

• Schools cannot release educational records (including disciplinary records) without parental consent if the student is under 18
• Once a student turns 18, they control consent for their own records
• However, there are exceptions when schools can share limited information

Some states have additional laws providing even stronger privacy protections for student disciplinary records. Georgia, for example, has specific protocols about what information can be shared between educational institutions.

How Colleges Learn About Disciplinary Issues

There are typically three ways colleges might learn about your child’s disciplinary history:

1. Self-Disclosure on Applications

Many college applications directly ask students about disciplinary history. The Common Application specifically asks:

“Have you ever been found responsible for a disciplinary violation at any educational institution you have attended from the 9th grade (or the international equivalent) forward, whether related to academic misconduct or behavioral misconduct, that resulted in a disciplinary action? These actions could include, but are not limited to: probation, suspension, removal, dismissal, or expulsion from the institution.”

Students must answer truthfully. Dishonesty discovered later can result in rescinded admissions offers or even dismissal after enrollment.

2. High School Reporting

High school counselors typically complete a “School Report” form that may include questions about disciplinary history. Policies vary widely from school to school:

• Some high schools have a policy of reporting all major disciplinary actions
• Others only report the most serious infractions
• Some schools have a policy of not reporting disciplinary issues unless specifically asked

3. Criminal Records

If your child’s disciplinary issue involved law enforcement and resulted in criminal charges, this creates a separate concern from school discipline. While juvenile records are generally sealed, serious offenses or those where a teen was charged as an adult may appear in background checks.

How to Handle Disciplinary Issues in College Applications

If your child does have a disciplinary record that might be disclosed, here’s how to approach the situation:

1. Be Honest and Take Responsibility

Honesty is essential. If an application asks about disciplinary history and your child has reportable incidents, they should answer truthfully. Colleges often view dishonesty more harshly than the original infraction.

2. Provide Context and Show Growth

When disclosing disciplinary issues, your child should:

• Briefly explain what happened without making excuses
• Take responsibility for their actions
• Most importantly, demonstrate what they learned from the experience
• Show how they’ve grown and changed since the incident

This approach turns a negative into a demonstration of maturity and character development.

3. Consider Including Additional Information

Many applications have an “additional information” section where students can provide context for any unusual circumstances. This space can be used to explain disciplinary situations if needed.

4. Talk with School Counselors

Before applications are submitted, have your child speak with their guidance counselor to understand:

• What the school’s policy is regarding reporting disciplinary actions
• What specific information will be shared in their case
• How the counselor plans to address the incident in their recommendation

5. Consider Legal Counsel When Appropriate

If your child is facing a disciplinary matter, or criminal or juvenile charges, consulting with a legal team experienced in education law and juvenile matters can be crucial.

Our team at Ghanouni Teen & Young Adult Defense Firm can help evaluate whether:

• Your child’s rights were violated during the disciplinary process
• The school followed proper procedures
• There are legal grounds to challenge the disciplinary action
• The incident should be expunged or sealed from court records

How Different Types of Colleges View Disciplinary Records

Not all colleges weigh disciplinary history the same way:

Highly selective colleges (Ivy League, top-tier universities) typically scrutinize applications more thoroughly, including disciplinary history. A serious infraction may have greater impact at these institutions.

State universities and less selective colleges often take a more holistic approach, considering disciplinary issues in context with the student’s overall profile and evidence of growth.

Community colleges generally have open admissions policies and are less likely to deny admission based on high school disciplinary records.

Dealing with Disciplinary Tribunal Hearings

If your child is currently facing a disciplinary tribunal hearing, it’s crucial to understand that the outcome could affect their college prospects. School tribunal hearings in Georgia move quickly and have significant consequences.

Taking these steps can help protect your child’s future:

• Request all evidence the school has regarding the incident
• Do not sign any waivers or agreements without legal consultation
• Maintain records of all communications with school officials
• Consider legal representation for the hearing

Our legal team has extensive experience representing students in school tribunal hearings throughout Georgia. We understand how to navigate these proceedings while keeping your child’s educational future in mind.

What If My Child Has a Juvenile or Criminal Record?

When disciplinary issues cross into legal territory, the concerns multiply. If your child has been charged with or convicted of a crime, additional considerations come into play regarding college applications.

Generally:

• Most Juvenile records are sealed and not automatically available to colleges
• However, applications may ask about criminal history beyond school discipline
• Certain convictions may impact eligibility for federal student aid

In these situations, consulting with an attorney who specializes in juvenile law, criminal law, and education issues is essential to protecting your child’s future.

The Bottom Line: Stay Focused on the Future

While disciplinary records can impact college admissions, remember that:

1. Most minor infractions will not seriously harm college prospects
2. Even serious disciplinary issues can be overcome with proper handling
3. Colleges are often willing to give students a second chance when they demonstrate growth
4. Alternative pathways to higher education always exist

The most important thing is to help your child learn from mistakes and move forward positively.

How Our Legal Team Can Help

At Ghanouni Teen & Young Adult Defense Firm, we understand that a single mistake shouldn’t derail your child’s future. Our legal team can help by:

• Representing your child in school disciplinary hearings
• Advising on disclosure requirements for college applications
• Working to minimize the impact of disciplinary actions on academic records
• In appropriate cases, seeking expungement or sealing of records
• Providing guidance on how to address disciplinary issues in applications

Contact our team today to discuss how we can help protect your child’s educational future.

Remember: One disciplinary issue doesn’t have to define your child’s academic journey. With proper guidance and support, they can move past these challenges and achieve their college dreams.