Attendance Policy Reminder

Posted Date: 11/04/2024

November 5, 2024

The research tells us that being present in school is so important to student success. We have noticed a rise in last-minute dismissal attendance calls over the last few weeks. We ask parents to send a note or call and leave a message on the attendance line before 9:00 a.m. to notify us of their student's absence or early dismissal. Please refer to the student handbook (page 27) for our attendance policy. Students who are absent without timely parental notification will be subject to disciplinary consequences, loss of privileges, and/or removal from co-curricular activities. Ultimately, our goal is for all students to be able to persist through the school day. 

We have academic resources: Testing Center, Math Lab and Literacy Lab to support students. Free periods should be used for students to stay and complete their work so they are not overburdened at home when they have other activities going on. Parents calling 10th graders out during their “free period” at the last minute contributes to the rise in calls. We ask that students remain in school to work on assignments and experience downtime in the school environment.  We have plenty of spaces for students to work on assignments, complete group work, or just hang out when they don’t have class. 

If your student is not feeling well at school and is texting you to pick them up, please direct them to the nurse’s office. Do not come to school to pick your student up without seeing the nurse, who will call you to ask you to pick up your student if needed. If your student is in 11th or 12th grade and has open campus and is not feeling well, please see the nurse before going home, or their absence will be marked as unexcused and they will be ineligible for athletics.

Research on Attendance

Chronic absenteeism in high school can significantly impact a student’s college and career opportunities after graduation. Here’s a breakdown of some key points supported by research:

1. Academic Achievement and Preparedness: Chronic absenteeism, often defined as missing 10% or more of school days (or 10% of a particular class), typically results in lower grades and reduced academic achievement. Students who miss a lot of school have more gaps in their learning, making them less prepared for college-level work, which can affect both college admission and success in post-secondary studies.

2. College Admission and Readiness: Many colleges consider attendance records as part of their review process. Chronic absenteeism also correlates with lower SAT and ACT scores, which are considered in admissions and scholarship decisions. Studies show that students with lower attendance rates are less likely to attend college at all, as their academic profiles may not meet minimum admission standards for many schools.

3. Soft Skills and Employability: Attendance in school teaches soft skills like responsibility, punctuality, and persistence—qualities that are valued by employers and post-secondary programs. Chronic absenteeism can indicate a lack of reliability, which might make employers more hesitant to hire or provide opportunities in career programs, such as apprenticeships or internships, after high school.

4. Financial Implications: For students who do manage to attend college despite chronic absenteeism, the adjustment can be difficult, leading to a higher likelihood of academic probation, dropped classes, or dropping out entirely. This can lead to increased student loan debt without the corresponding degree or career to help manage repayment.

Promoting consistent attendance as a family and school partnership is essential to the success of all students. Please call your child’s counselor if you would like support in helping your child remain in school throughout the day.