Parents are encouraged not to remove their students from school unless it is essential. Please remember that any absence—especially extended absences—can negatively impact a student’s educational progress.

If a student must miss school, a Prearranged Absence Form must be completed and submitted to the office at least one week prior to the scheduled absence. Administration will review the request and determine whether the absence meets the criteria to be excused. Please note that not all absences are excused.

All students are expected to be present for each semester’s final exam week. Excuses will not be granted unless there is a dire medical emergency. Students who miss final exams will receive a zero.

The following are valid reasons for a school absence being excused:

·      Illness of the student (after 3 days a doctor’s note is required)

·      Funeral, Wedding, or similar significant family occasion

·      Medical/Dental Appointments or hospitalization (a doctor’s note is required)

·      Court Appointments

·      School Approved Trip or Activity

·      College/University Visit (Limit 2)

Whereas parents have the right to remove their student from school at any time, this does not mean the absence will be excused. If an absence is not excused, the student may not be given the opportunity to make up missed work and will lose points for that work. For an excused absence, work may be made up with no grade penalty. Students will be given at least one day (from the date of return) for each day of absence to complete their work. Please note that long-term projects and regularly scheduled assignments that were announced prior to the absence are still due on the assigned date. A student should not assume these assignments may be turned in late. Sometimes teachers may be able to provide daily assignments that will be missed prior to the absence (although this is not always possible).