Attendance Expectations

Since attendance in school is a key factor their success and achievement, students are expected to be in school every day.

Excused Absences

Student absences are classified as “EXCUSED” when adequate documentation for each absence is provided. The best documentation is from the health care provider, but written notes from the parent or guardian are also acceptable. Up to six (6) days may be excused per school year with a home note. Even if an absence is excused, it still counts as an absence. The State of Tennessee considers a student chronically absent if they miss 10% of the instructional days. (18 days for a 180 day school year.) This includes excused absences and unexcused absences. 

All excuses must be turned in within five (5) school days of the absence. In addition to student illness, other events that are eligible for excusing are: death of immediate family member, recognized religious holidays, and/or other emergencies.

If more than one half of a class period is missed, the student is counted as absent from the class.

Classwork and/or assignments missed during an excused absence may be completed for credit within five (5) days of returning to school. (The teacher may extend this time, if the student makes the request for extension in writing.)

Unexcused Absences

All undocumented absences are classified as “UNEXCUSED”.  After the accumulation of five (5) unexcused absences, a Truancy warning letter will be sent to the parents. After the accumulation of ten (10) or more unexcused absences in a semester, the student (with a parent) may be required to attend a Truancy Review Hearing at which the Truancy Review Board will determine if extenuating circumstances exist. Continued accumulation of unexcused absences may result in action by the Juvenile Court.

Out of school suspensions are unexcused absences.

Driver’s License

Unexcused absences or unexcused tardies can result in a loss of extra curricular activities as well as a loss of driving privileges for high school students. Ten (10) consecutive or fifteen (15) total unexcused absences during any semester renders a student ineligible to obtain or retain a driver’s permit or license.