PHX Reporter

Students at Brophy College Preparatory high school students have been implicated in accusations of widespread cheating, just hours before the school’s May 20 graduation ceremony.

According to a report by Fox10 in Phoenix, Principal Bob Ryan sent a letter to parents ahead of the May 20 graduation informing them of the scandal.

"As we prepare to celebrate the senior class in just a few hours, I am most disappointed to have to send you this letter,” Ryan said in a copy of the letter, which was sent to the news station May 21.“As difficult as it is to share this news, I have consistently asserted that partnership between parents and the school is essential and that holds true even today, your son’s final day as a Brophy student. Over the last 72 hours, we have become aware of academic dishonesty in your son’s math class.”

While it was originally believed that the cheating was confined to just a few students, it later was discovered to be more widespread, the report stated.

"Sadly, we believe a significant number of the students in these courses have been engaged in, if not at least aware of, this system at some point this semester. It is difficult for me to express my level of disappointment this morning,” Ryan said. “I am shocked and saddened that so many students – near the end of their journey with us – would engage in such intentional acts of duplicity and dishonesty. I am dismayed that such a system was able to germinate and fester without notice until earlier this week.”

Ryan said the students involved would be “held to significant account,” but added that with the news coming to light so close to graduation, the consequences likely wouldn’t affect their academic status.

Ryan said the schools internal review would “include a thorough audit of our assessment strategy across every department to ensure the integrity of our academic program,” but he asked parents not to let the controversy darken the otherwise celebratory mood of graduation.

“We will continue conversations with individual students and families in the coming days, but do not plan to address this incident this evening or tomorrow and detract from the celebrations the vast majority of our seniors have rightly earned," he said.