07/29/2026
**PLEASE read our attendance guidelines as we prepare to start a new year.**
Attendance Guidelines
Purpose: The purpose of this policy is to promote regular school attendance, ensure compliance with South
Carolina State Board of Education Regulation 43-274, and support student academic success through
consistent instructional engagement.
Compulsory Attendance
In accordance with South Carolina law, all students between the ages of 6 and 17 are required to attend school
regularly. Parents or guardians are responsible for ensuring their child’s attendance and timely arrival each
school day.
Lawful and Unlawful Absences
Lawful Absences
Lawful absences shall include, but are not limited to, the following:
● Student illness when attendance would endanger the student’s health or the health of others
● Illness or death of an immediate family member
● Observance of a recognized religious holiday
● Students whose parents/guardians are experiencing a military deployment.
● Suspensions are not counted as unlawful absences for truancy purposes.
● School‑approved activities authorized in advance by the principal up to 10 days per school year. Principals
will make the final decision.
Unlawful Absences
Unlawful absences include, but are not limited to:
● Absences without parental knowledge
● Absences without acceptable cause*, even with parental knowledge. This can include a vacation or trip when
school is in session.
● Student exceeds 7 parent notes for the current school year
● Absences with no documentation are automatically considered unlawful.
*Acceptable Cause - would include either a death or illness.
Parent Notes and Documentation
● Parents or guardians may submit up to seven (7) written parent notes per academic year to excuse
absences. (Excluding 4x4 courses. Please refer to the High School Credit Courses Guidelines)
● After the seventh parent note, all additional absences must be supported by official documentation (e.g.,
medical or legal documentation) to be considered lawful.
● Absences beyond seven parent notes that lack official documentation may be classified as unlawful, resulting
in an unexcused absence for the student.
● Students are required to bring written documentation for absences within 5 days from the day they return
from an absence.
When a student is absent more than a total of TEN days, the Board has designated the school principal as a
designee to approve or disapprove of any additional absences.
Instructional Seat‑Time Makeup Requirement
Once a student exceeds seven (7) parent‑excused absences with principal discretion, the district will require
the student to make up instructional seat‑time to ensure compliance with attendance and learning
requirements. Makeup opportunities may include:
● After‑school instructional sessions
● Other district‑approved instructional time
These measures ensure students maintain adequate instructional engagement while remaining consistent with
state attendance expectations.
Truancy Definitions and Interventions In accordance with Regulation 43‑274:
● A truant student (ages 6–17) is one who has three consecutive unlawful absences or a total of five unlawful
absences.
● Upon identification of truancy, the school will initiate parent contact and an intervention plan designed to
address attendance concerns.
● All reasonable, educationally sound interventions will be implemented prior to referral to the juvenile justice
system.
Every Day Matters. Every Student. Every Opportunity
