Attendance/Truancy Information

Attendance for Promotion/Retention Purposes

To be promoted to the next grade or receive credit for high school courses, students may not be absent from school or class for more than ten (10) days for yearlong courses or five (5) days for semester courses, unless the absences are excused.

Elementary students with medical notes for more than 10 days may be asked to participate in make-up (if available) or be asked to participate in summer learning opportunities.

Middle and high school students who have medical notes for more than 10 absences per academic block will have the opportunity to make up time (if offered by the school) or may be asked to participate in summer learning opportunities.

Excused Absences

• An absence is considered excused if a valid licensed medical doctor's written note (with the date & time the student was seen) is provided within 3 school days after the absence. Online Medical visits with medical notes and/or screenshots that contain the student's name, date of birth, and results of the online visit (prescription, number of days out before the student's return to school, etc.)
• An absence for bereavement, due to a death in the student's immediate family, may be excused if an obituary or program of service verifying the death is provided to the attendance clerk within 3 school days after the student returns to school.
• An absence for a nationally recognized religious holiday of the student's faith may be excused if a request is made in writing to the principal and written approval is received prior to the absence.
• Parents are allowed to submit up to six (6) note days per school year to excuse student absences for any reason they deem necessary. 
  • Notes may be submitted in advance of a planned absence.
  • For unplanned absences, parent notes must be submitted within three (3) school days after the student returns.
  • Late notes (submitted after the three-day window) will not be accepted, and the absence will remain unexcused.
  • High school students will be allowed three (3) parent notes per semester.
  • Parent notes will not be accepted during designated state testing dates.
• For students in grades 9-12, due to High School final exams, parent notes will not be accepted during the last three (3) days of the school year.  

Attendance Information

• Elementary School Students
• Middle/High School Students

Attendance for Truancy Intervention Purposes

A student is considered truant:

1. After three (3) consecutive all-day absences, or five (5) cumulative all-day absences which are not excused by a medical doctor's written statement, proof of bereavement, or principal's approval; or,
2. After an elementary school student has accumulated ten (10) or more unexcused tardy or unexcused early dismissal (Note: Tardiness in middle and high schools is considered a disciplinary issue.)

After a student reaches truancy status, the principal or his/her designee will immediately attempt to establish contact with the parent to arrange a conference. During this conference, the principal or his/her designee will develop a written plan (Attendance Intervention Plan) with the parent and student (ages 12 and up) to ensure that the parent, the student, and the school have an understanding regarding the future attendance of the student. The plan will help to establish goals for regular school attendance and will be monitored to ensure compliance. Failure to comply with the plan may result in legal proceedings through family court. If a conference is held, and the student has 2 or more unlawful absences, tardies (elementary only),  unexcused early dismissal (elementary only), or a combination of any of the 3 to equal 2 or more, he/she will be referred to the District Attendance Coordinator. The District Attendance Coordinator may refer the student to family court for a motion for court-ordered attendance and DSS or both. No student who is lawfully absent will be referred.

All parents of students under the age of 12 who are referred to family court will be referred to D.S.S.

Appeal Process for Attendance Records

If a parent or legal guardian believes a student's attendance record for the current school year is inaccurate, they may appeal to the school principal by submitting the reasons they believe the record should be corrected, along with any supporting documentation related to the disputed absences.

If the parent or legal guardian is not satisfied with the principal's decision, they may appeal to the Coordinator of Attendance. If they remain dissatisfied with the Coordinator of Attendance's decision, they may submit a final appeal to the Executive Director of Student Affairs.

Information regarding student absences, tardies, and laws:

• Chronic Absenteeism
• Chronic Absenteeism (Absentismo cronico)
• SC Regulation #43-274
• Directions to HCS District Office