ATTENDANCE

Regular school attendance is critical for a student’s academic success. Even as children grow older and more independent, families can continue to play a key role in making sure students get to school safely every day and understand why attendance is so important for success in school and in life.

Some absences are unavoidable due to health problems or other circumstances. But, we also know that when students miss too much school—excused or unexcused—they can fall behind academically.

Important Notice Regarding Elementary School Attendance for SY24-25

For the 2024-2025 school year, DC Public Schools (DCPS) elementary schools will implement the "60/40" attendance policy as required by the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). This means if your child attends school for less than 60% of the day, it will be tracked as a 60/40 absence. This applies to both excused and unexcused absences. (See 5-A DCMR § 2199.1.)

To support your child being marked present for the full day, please make sure they arrive on time and stay until the close of the school day every day. Please note that the following late arrivals and/or early dismissal times will result in your child being considered legally absent for the day:

Students arriving after 11:25 a.m.
Students leaving before 12:35 p.m.
Students arriving late and leaving early and missing more than 40% of the scheduled school day.

The 60/40 attendance policy will continue to be implemented at the secondary level, meaning students must attend at least 60% of their class periods to be marked present for the day.

For additional information, please review the complete DCPS Attendance and Truancy Policy and contact your school with questions.

If a child must miss school, a written note must be submitted to the school by the student’s parent/guardian within five school days after the student’s return. Please email notes to Jowilsonesenroll@k12.dc.gov and be sure to include the STUDENT's NAME in the subject line. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Ms. Stephenson at Talisa.sutton-stephenson@k12.dc.gov or on 202 698-4733.

Excused Absences Generally

Excused Absences Generally

Any absence for an entire day without a valid excuse is marked as an unexcused absence. The following absences may be classified as an excused absence:

Illness of the student (a doctor’s note is required for a student absent five or more cumulative days in a term);
Illness of a child, for parenting students (a doctor’s note for the student’s child is required when the student is absent five or more cumulative days in a term);
Medical or dental appointments for the student;
Death in the student’s immediate family;
Exclusion by direction of the authorities of the District of Columbia, due to quarantine, contagious disease, infection, infestation, or other condition requiring separation from other students for medical or health reasons;
Necessity for a student to attend a judicial or administrative proceeding, or court-ordered activity, as a party to the action or under subpoena;
Observance of a religious holiday;
Religious event celebration outside of a religious holiday (up to five cumulative days);
Absences to allow students to visit their parent/guardian who is in the military, immediately before, during, or after deployment;
College visits for students in grades 9-12 (up to three cumulative days);
School visits for students in kindergarten through 8th grade (one day);
Absences of expectant or parenting students for a time period specified by their doctor and any accommodations mandated by law;
Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day;
An emergency or other circumstance approved by DCPS.

DCPS Attendance policIES AND RESOURCES

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ATTENDANCE

Excused Absences Generally