Consistent school attendance is critical for student achievement. If students are not present, they cannot benefit from classroom instruction. State attendance laws require student attendance for course credit and grade-level promotion. Additionally, state attendance laws require intervention when a student is deemed truant.

Attendance for Promotion/Retention Purposes

To be promoted to the next grade or receive credit for high school courses, students may not be absent from school or class for more than ten (10) days for yearlong courses or five (5) days for semester courses, unless the absences are excused.

High school students who have more than eight (8) medical notes per academic block will have the opportunity to make up time.

Excused Absences

• An absence is considered excused if a valid medical doctor's written note (with the date & time the student was seen) is provided within 3 school days after the absence. Online Medical visits with medical notes and/or screenshots that contain the student's name, date of birth, and results of the online visit (prescription, number of days out before the student's return to school, etc.)

• An absence for bereavement, due to a death in the student's immediate family, may be excused if an obituary or program of service verifying the death is provided to the attendance clerk within 3 school days after the student returns to school.

• An absence for a nationally recognized religious holiday of the student's faith may be excused if a request is made in writing to the principal and written approval is received prior to the absence.

• Parents are allowed to submit up to six (6) notes per school year to excuse student absences for any reason they deem necessary. 

  • Notes may be submitted in advance of a planned absence.

  • For unplanned absences, parent notes must be submitted within three (3) school days after the student returns.

  • Late notes (submitted after the three-day window) will not be accepted, and the absence will remain unexcused.

  • High school students will be allowed three (3) parent notes per semester.

  • Parent notes will not be accepted during designated state testing dates.

• For students in grades 9-12, due to High School final exams, parent notes will not be accepted during the last three (3) days of the school year.  

Attendance for Truancy Intervention Purposes

A student is considered truant:

After three (3) consecutive all-day absences, or five (5) cumulative all-day absences which are not excused by a medical doctor's written statement, proof of bereavement, or principal's approval.

After a student reaches truancy status, the principal or his/her designee will immediately attempt to establish contact with the parent to arrange a conference. During this conference, the principal or his/her designee will develop a written plan (Attendance Intervention Plan) with the parent and student (ages 12 and up) to ensure that the parent, the student, and the school have an understanding regarding the future attendance of the student. The plan will help to establish goals for regular school attendance and will be monitored to ensure compliance. Failure to comply with the plan may result in legal proceedings through family court. If a conference is held, and the student has 2 or more unlawful absences, he/she will be referred to the District Attendance Coordinator. The District Attendance Coordinator may refer the student to family court for a motion for court-ordered attendance and DSS or both. No student who is lawfully absent will be referred.