Habitual Truant: A student with 10 or more unexcused absences in one year.

Semester Absence Threshold: A student with more than 5 unexcused absences in a semester may be dismissed from the school.

Total Absences: Any student who misses 21 or more days in a year (excused or unexcused), or more than 10 days in a semester, may be required to repeat the current grade, regardless of academic performance.

All absences, late arrivals, and early departures are classified as excused or unexcused according to the Student/Parent Handbook.

Excused Absences:

• Personal injury or illness (doctor's note may be required when absences are excessive)

• Medical, dental, specialist, or therapy appointments

• Court-mandated appearance or visitation

• Planned family absence (vacation or special family day) – up to 5 pre-approved days per year (not during blackout dates)

• Planned youth retreats with church youth group – up to 3 pre-approved days per year (not during blackout dates)

• Once-in-a-lifetime event (wedding or funeral of a family member, etc.)

• Other causes approved by school administration or permitted by law 

Unexcused Absences:

• Oversleeping

• Babysitting

• No ride to school

• Working or personal/family errands 

• Taking "cuts" or truancy; hanging out with friends 

• Staying home to complete schoolwork

• Suspension 

• Planned absences that (1) are not submitted 24 hours in advance to the school office (2) exceed planned family absences (3) exceed planned youth retreat absences (4) are during "blackout dates” (see below).

• Unexcused absences that are not pre-approved may also result in demerits.

Black Out Dates:

Planned absences will not be approved during:

• Required all-school events (competitions, awards programs, etc.)

• E-learning days

• Achievement testing days 

 I understand that my child’s absence will interrupt their regular learning. I take full responsibility to make the necesssary arrangements to make sure all missed work is completed."