Attendance Frequently Asked Questions
What is Considered Good Attendance?
Good Attendance: The Power of Showing Up
Present Today, Prepared for Tomorrow
What is Good Attendance?
Good attendance means being at school at least 97% of the time — that's about 175-180 days per year.
Good attendance means being at school at least 97% of the time — that's about 175-180 days per year.
How Attendance Imacts Learning
| Attendance Rate | Days Absent | Impact on Learning |
|---|---|---|
| 100% | 0 | Excellent – full learning access |
| 97% | 5 | Good – best chance for success |
| 90% | 18 | Concerning – risk of falling behind |
| 85% | 27 | Serious concern – high risk |
| 80% | 36 | Critical – very high risk of failure |
Why Attendance Matters
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Missing just 2 days per month (10%) puts students at risk.
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By 6th grade, chronic absence is a warning sign.
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By 9th grade, attendance predicts graduation better than test scores.
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After 14 excused absences, only a doctor’s note will excuse future absences.
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Attendance is required by law for students ages 6–18.
Benefits of Good Attendance
Students who attend regularly:
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Reach their full potential
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Are better prepared for college and careers
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Build confidence and life skills
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Stay on top of schoolwork
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Develop healthy habits
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Make friends and stay involved
Tardiness Adds Up
| Late Each Day | Lost Learning Weekly | Lost Learning Yearly | School Years Lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 mins | 50 mins | 1.5 weeks | ½ year |
| 20 mins | 1 hr 40 mins | 2.5 weeks | Nearly 1 year |
| 1 hour | 1 school day | 8 weeks | 2.5+ years |
What Can You Do?
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Attend. Achieve. Every Minute Counts.
Good attendance supports academic success, emotional well-being, and lifelong opportunities.
Good attendance supports academic success, emotional well-being, and lifelong opportunities.
General Attendance Questions
How do I report my child’s absence?
Parents or Guardians may excuse absences and same day tardies several ways:
- Call the 24 hour Attendance Hotline: (714) 893-1381 Ext. 52031 and leave a voicemail with:
- Student’s name
- Student I.D. #
- Reason for the absence
- Dates your student was absent
- Parent/guardian name
- Respond to the absence notification received through ParentSquare
What is the deadline for reporting an absence to have it excused?
Parents have 5 school days from the date of the absence to report it and clear it
Parents have 5 school days from the date of the absence to report it and clear it
What qualifies as an excused absence?
- Illness
- Medical or dental appointments
- College Visit
- Court appearances
- Funeral services for immediate family members (limit: 1 day in California, up to 3 days for those outside of California)
What does NOT qualify as an excused absence?
- Family Vacations
- Babysitting
- Working
- Oversleeping (forgetting to wake up on time)
- Caring for family members
- Parent requests
- Car troubles
Can I excuse my child for a family vacation or personal reasons?
Family vacations should be scheduled during non-school days. Absences for vacations or personal reasons are considered unexcused absences.
How many unexcused absences before my child is considered truant?
Three unexcused period absences are considered truancy- This will begin the Student Attendance Review Board (SARB) process and families will attend a school attendance meeting.
How many medically excused absences are students allowed a school year?
Students are allowed up to 14 medically excused health days per school year
Tardys and Early Check-Outs
What is the procedure for checking my student out of school early?
Parents may check students out early through the front office by filling out a checkout form and providing valid identification. Alternatively, parents can contact the school directly to request early release.
Parents may check students out early through the front office by filling out a checkout form and providing valid identification. Alternatively, parents can contact the school directly to request early release.
What happens if my student is late to school?
Students who are late for more than half of a class period will be marked absent. Parents should contact attendance to report the reason for lateness, and students must check in at the front office upon arrival.
Can I excuse my child’s tardiness with a note or call?
Yes, parents can excuse tardiness by calling the school or sending a message via ParentSquare.
Documentation, Policies, Law, and Student Attendance Review Board (SARB):
Do I need to provide a doctor’s note for a medical absence?
A doctor’s note is required for students with three or more consecutive absences or if they exceed their allotted health days in a school year (14 days). The school also recommends providing a doctor’s note for planned medical appointments.
A doctor’s note is required for students with three or more consecutive absences or if they exceed their allotted health days in a school year (14 days). The school also recommends providing a doctor’s note for planned medical appointments.
What are the consequences of excessive absences or tardies?
Consequences may include detention and Saturday School. Students with excessive truancies or unexcused absences may be referred to the School Attendance Review Board (SARB).
What are the Attendance Laws?
See the Attendance Education Code Page
Make-up Work and Academic Impact
How can my child make up for missed work due to an absence?
Parents should encourage their students to work directly with their teachers to discuss the plan to make up for any missed work during an absence. Parents and students can reach out to teachers directly for additional clarification and guidance.
Parents should encourage their students to work directly with their teachers to discuss the plan to make up for any missed work during an absence. Parents and students can reach out to teachers directly for additional clarification and guidance.
Will absences affect my child’s grades or graduation eligibility?
Excessive absences can substantially impact a student’s grades and progress towards graduating from high school and/or meeting college admission requirements.
Special Circumstances
What if my child needs to be out for an extended period of time (illness, family emergency, etc.)?
A doctor’s note is required for extended absences due to illness. Family emergencies are considered unexcused absences but still should be reported to the attendance office to discuss next steps.
A doctor’s note is required for extended absences due to illness. Family emergencies are considered unexcused absences but still should be reported to the attendance office to discuss next steps.
Is there a process for applying for independent study or home instruction during a long absence?
Students absent for several days may request Independent Study, which must be approved by an administrator.
Attendance Tips
- What can I do at home to help my teen develop good attendance habits?
Our Commitment to Attendance
At Westminster High School, attendance matters.
Being present builds community, enriches learning, and opens doors for success.
Let’s work together to make every day count!