In order that your student may take full advantage of their educational career, regular, on time school attendance is required. Irregular attendance puts your student at a disadvantage, depriving them of the opportunity for effective learning. If a student is absent from school for reasons other than suspension, the following procedures must be followed:
There are no excused absences except for family medical emergencies, death in the family, or recurring illness with medical documentation. A class missed for any other reason counts as an absence, which is accumulated over the year. This includes but is not limited to dentist or doctor appointments, minor illnesses, church functions, and absences requested by a parent with prior notification of the administration. Absences will be monitored on a nine-week basis to ensure that the student is not excessively absent. Upon returning to school after an absence, the student must provide a written note with their parent’s signature and the dates and reason for the absence. If the absence is due to a dentist, orthodontist, or doctor appointment, a note from the dentist/doctor’s office is required. Students will be considered absent for the entire day if they leave before or arrive after 11:30 a.m.
If a student is absent due to suspension, they will not be allowed to attend or participate in any school related extracurricular activities before, during, or after the school day. This includes off campus activities such as field trips or away games.
Excessive absences may result in dismissal from school. No refunds on tuition will be made due to absences. Absences from mid-term and final examinations for any reason will result in a lower semester grade by one full letter, unless approved by the Administrative Director. The make-up work policy applies to all absences, no exceptions.
Parents of students within the compulsory attendance age are responsible for their child’s regular attendance at school, as required by the state of North Carolina. In order to gain the most from school, a student must be in regular attendance. Parents are expected to inform the school of planned absences exceeding three (3) days. Since the school calendar allows for several vacation opportunities throughout the school year, parents are encouraged to schedule vacations and appointments to coincide with school breaks and teacher workdays.
Attendance in the Intermediate and Secondary Schools is taken during each class period. Intermediate or Secondary School students who accumulate more than seven (7) absences per semester risk failing the class and losing academic credit, regardless of grades achieved. After four (4) absences have been accumulated, the administrator will be made aware and a parent conference will be arranged to discuss potential loss of promotion. Students that are more than fifteen (15) minutes late to class will be considered absent. Students are encouraged to plan dentist, orthodontist, or doctor appointments after school dismisses or at varying times during the day to avoid excessive absences and thus risking a failing grade in the class and not receiving credit for the class. Juniors and seniors will be allowed two (2) days per semester for college visits, and these will not be counted towards there cumulative total of absences if they are pre-arranged and approved by the administrator. Students must be in attendance for at least four (4) class periods of the school day in order to participate in any extracurricular activity, including games for student athletes.