Attendance

Attend on time, everyday.

Research shows that daily school attendance is critical for every student’s academic success and social-emotional well-being. Students with good attendance are more likely to:

  • read on or above grade level
  • perform well in math
  • build healthy, lasting relationships at school
  • successfully graduate high school on time

Absences

An excused absence is when a student is absent from school for a reason identified by the District as legitimate, valid and reasonable. The following conditions or situations are examples of reasonable causes for absence from school.

  • Obtaining professional health care or therapy service
  • Required court appearance
  • Death in family
  • Observance of a religious holiday
  • Family Emergency (An unexpected, serious event that is outside of the control of the student’s family).
  • Other urgent reasons that may reasonably cause a student’s absence, as well as circumstances related to homelessness and foster care.

Absence Notes

The District’s attendance policy requires written excuse notes explaining the absence. Contact the main office if you have questions around how notes may be submitted.

  1. Excuse notes must be given to the school within three (3) days upon the student’s return to school.
  2. If the note is not submitted to the school within the required time frame, the day(s) may not be excused.
  3. Include the student’s name, date(s) of absence(s) and a valid telephone number or other means of contact for verification purposes.

Truancy

Truancy means having three (3) or more unexcused absences during the current school year, by a student subject to compulsory school attendance. Students who have six (6) or more unexcused absences are considered habitually truant. Students who have ten (10) or more unexcused absences are considered chronically truant.

Truancy Process
The School District of Philadelphia has an obligation to address truancy through a designated process. The intention of this process is to provide assistance and support. We aim to avoid involving families in truancy court or the child welfare system. Your cooperation is appreciated in ensuring that your student fulfills attendance requirements.