Attendance and Makeup Policy

North Carolina Public Law requires a student less than 16 years of age to attend school.  It is the student’s responsibility to submit a written excuse to the office within 3 school days with the following information: Student’s name, date of absence, reason for absence, parent/guardian signature.  

Lawful Absences
According to the State Code for Lawful Absences, the following reasons constitute valid excuses for temporary nonattendance of school.  A note from home will not automatically constitute a lawful absence.  
1) Illness or injury
2) Quarantine
3) Death of immediate family member- parent, grandparent, siblings,

guardians
4) Medical/Dental appointments- accompanied by doctor’s note
5) Court or Administrative proceedings- accompanied by acceptable documentation from the court system.
6) Religious observances
7) Educational opportunity- will be granted if approved by administration 5 days in advance
8) College Day (2 days per year) - juniors and seniors request prior approval through Guidance 3 days in advance.

Attendance Requirements
Making up classwork does not erase absences.  After 8 absences, lawful or unlawful, a student will fail the course unless a waiver is requested.   Students may request, in writing, a waiver if there are extenuating circumstances and documentation of those circumstances can be provided.  Waivers will not be granted for unlawful absences.  




Final Exam Exemption

Students with an academic average of 90 or above and 3 or fewer absences and 4 or fewer tardies in a class and 10 AR points may exempt the exam for that class. Any student with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) must maintain an academic average of 77 (except for AP or honors classes) or above, 4 or fewer absences and 4 or fewer tardies in a class and 10 AR points. Attendance will be counted through the day of the exam. Days missed due to school-initiated functions will not count toward the exemption policy as students are not to be marked absent on those days. Students who exempt exams will be counted absent on the day of the exam unless present at school. Students in classes with End-of-Course (EOC) or VOCATS exams will not be exempt as these tests are mandatory. Students taking AP exams will not be able to exempt their exams which are given prior to exam week. Students who owe any school fees may not exempt an exam. Subject teachers have the final authority on approving any exam exemption requested.  The following have End-of-Course exams: English I, Biology, Algebra I