Attendance

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Attendance is the number one predictor of both dropout and graduation rates. Establishing the habit of daily attendance is more important than ever, as it helps reduce stress, strengthen connections with friends and teachers, and support academic success. Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) follows the provisions of Virginia law (Code of Virginia § 22.1-254) regarding compulsory attendance for all school-aged students.

PWCS uses an attendance management system that carefully tracks attendance and ensures that parents are notified in a timely and consistent manner when students are absent from school.

Attendance letters are mailed to notify parents of:

  • Truancy status when students accrue three unexcused absences
  • Excessive excused absences
  • Chronic absentee status when students are absent 10% of instructional days based on where we are in the school year.

OPHS will require a doctor’s note when a student misses three consecutive days or a total of 10 days during the school year due to illness. Please note:

  • Family trips or absences related to travel are unexcused absences.
  • Students are considered chronically absent if they miss 10% or more school days in a school year. Both excused and unexcused absences count towards chronic absenteeism.
  • Students are expected to make up all missed assignments and assessments for both excused and unexcused absences.
  • Military-connected students may have up to five days of excused absences to visit a parent/guardian called to active duty or on leave from active duty.
  • With prior approval from the principal (or designee), absences for college admission visits or to apply for post-graduation employment can be excused for juniors and seniors.

Parents should notify the school before, or at the start of, the school day when their child will be absent. Parents must send written or electronic communication citing the reason(s) for the absence to the school no more than five school days following the date of the absence.

To report an absence, please contact your alpha assistant.