Attendance Policy

According to the Texas Compulsory School Attendance Law, attendance at school is compulsory for every child who is at least six (6) years of age through the academic year in which a student’s eighteenth (18th) birthday occurs. The child must attend school each day for the entire period that a school’s program of instruction is provided. School employees must investigate, report, and if necessary, prosecute violations of the state compulsory attendance law.

According to the Texas Education Code 21.041, students must be in attendance 90% of the instructional days each semester to receive credit for any class. A student who attends fewer than 90% of the days the class is offered cannot receive credit for the class unless the attendance committee finds that the absences are the result of extenuating circumstances.

Truancy/Unexcused Absences

1. Students who are absent from school for the day, or from any class, without permission from a parent or school official will be considered truant and will be subject to disciplinary action. In addition, a student who is assigned to Friday School and does not attend will be considered truant.
2. Students who leave campus and fail to get signed out and received proper authorization to leave campus will be considered truant. Absences that occur in conjunction with an unauthorized departure from campus will be counted as unexcused. 
3. If a student accumulates unexcused absences that total three (3) days or parts days in a four (4) week period or ten (10) days or parts of days in a six (6) month period, the student and/or guardian may be prosecuted for violation of the Compulsory Attendance Law.

Returning to School

Upon returning to school after an absence, students must bring a note, signed by a parent or guardian, giving the reason for the absence, date(s) of the absence(s), and a telephone number for verification. A note signed by the student, even with the parent’s permission, will not be accepted. A student who is absent and does not provide proper documentation within 72 hours upon his/her return to school will have the absence recorded as unexcused.

When a student’s absence for personal illness exceeds five (5) consecutive days, the student shall present a statement from a physician or health clinic verifying the illness or condition that caused the student’s extended absence from school. (District Local Code)

Options will be provided for students to make up work or days missed to regain credit lost, including Evening School, campus or community service, summer school, and other options deemed acceptable by the attendance committee.

Students who are absent from school, for whatever the reason, will not be allowed to participate in school-related activities on that day or evening. Exceptions may be made by campus administration only when requested by the activity sponsor.