Attendance Policy

Attendance Policy

2026-2027
Student & Family Handbook 2026-2027 page 14)

Attendance

Regular attendance is crucial for academic success. It allows students to stay updated with the curriculum, engage in classroom discussions, and seek help when needed. Consistent attendance fosters a sense of responsibility and discipline, preparing students for future college and workforce commitments. Moreover, being present in class facilitates stronger relationships with teachers and peers, enhancing the overall learning experience and opportunities for personal growth.

Attendance Policies 

Tardy Policy

A student is considered tardy if: 

• They are not in class by 8:35 AM when the final bell rings; all gates will close at this time
• They are not in their classroom when the final bell rings during periods 2-4

If a student is tardy:

• After 8:35 AM, they must enter through the main office
• They will go directly to class during the first 10 minutes
• After the first 10 minutes, students must sign in at the kiosk and have no more than 5 minutes to get to class
• Office staff will greet late students daily to monitor those with repeated tardiness
• An administrator will contact the parent/guardian of students with chronic tardiness or attendance concerns
• They may not come on to campus with outside food or drinks

Additional Tardy Guidelines:

• Students arriving during periods 2-4 must check in at the kiosk in the Attendance Office and immediately report to class
• Teachers will mark students tardy in PowerSchool if they arrive late to class between periods 
• Repeated tardiness will impact citizenship grades
• Students with 10 or more tardies within a quarter will meet with Academy Directors, Associate Principals, or Counselors, along with Academy supporters

Tardies truancies, and absences will affect a student's ability to obtain a work permit or participate in school events

Truancy Policy

• A student is truant when:
• They leave or do not show up for a period over 30 minutes  
• They leave class without adult permission
• They leave class with adult permission (bathroom, brief front office visit, etc) , but are not back within a reasonable amount of time.

In accordance with Tiered Intervention practices student truancies will result in the following:

• 1st Truancy- Teacher informs the Attendance Office of the truancy and truancy is noted in PowerSchool. Parent/guardian will be notified.
• 2nd Truancy- Teacher informs the Attendance Office of the truancy and truancy is noted in PowerSchool. Will be reflected in citizenship grade. Parent/guardian informed and behavior contract may be implemented
• 3rd Truancy and beyond – Teacher informs the Attendance Office of the truancy and truancy is noted in PowerSchool. Parent/guardian will be notified. Negatively  impacts citizenship. Student will be assigned Saturday School and Administrators will create a behavioral support plan for the student. Parent Conference advised. Tier 3 interventions may be implemented. 

Excused Absences Policy & Procedures    

Examples of Excused Absences:

• Quarantine under the direction of a county or city health officer
• Having medical, dental, optometric or chiropractic services
• Obtaining confidential medical services without the consent of the student’s parents or guardians (according to Title X law and regulations)
• Attending the funeral service of an immediate family member
• Illness or medical appointment during school of a child whose custodial parent is the student
• Spending time with an immediate family member who is an active-duty member of the uniformed services and who has been called to duty for, is on leave from, or has immediately returned from deployment to a combat zone or combat support position
• Personal illness or injury
• A court appearance, attendance at a funeral service, observance of a religious holiday or ceremony
• Students who are absent from school because of the above-mentioned excused absences  will be given an equivalent opportunity to make up any examination, study, or work requirements they may have missed.

Parental Responsibility with Excused Absence: 

• After any absence, parents are requested, to the extent possible,  to provide absence verification to the school office
• All absences must be cleared by the parent/guardian within 5 days of the absence with a telephone call to 619-344-4578, or through the attendance form linked on the Hoover home page; Otherwise, the absence will be considered “unexcused” or ‘truant.” For unexcused absences and truancy, it is up to teacher discretion to allow students the opportunity to make up assignments.
• When reporting a student's absence please provide the following specific information regarding the absence or tardy:

• Students full legal name (this includes second last name if applicable)
• Reason for his/her absence or tardy
• Parent/legal guardian full name
• Students grade
• Parent/legal guardians phone number on PowerSchool file

Unexcused Absences  Policy & Procedures

A student will not be excused for the following: 

• Transportation issues (car/traffic problems)
• Personal/family problems
• Trips out of town
• Babysitting of sibling
• Translating for family members
• Oversleeping 
• Any other reason not listed above as excused

Students can remedy unexcused absences by attending Saturday School and tardies by attending after school tutoring.

Consequences for Excessive Absences, Tardies, and Truancies

• Phone call home/parent conference to create behavioral support contract Counselor intervention
• Academy behavioral intervention & support plan
• Loss of Privileges (school-based activities, homecoming, senior activities, etc.)
• Assigned Saturday School
• Assigned after-school tutoring

Clearing Unexcused Absences, Tardies, and Truancies

Saturday School

Students may go to Saturday School to clear up to 5 tardies, 5 single-period absences, 1 full-day unverified absence, or a combination of 5 tardies and single-period absences,  per Saturday School session. Students must use their ID cards to sign- in to receive clearance. Students can attend Saturday School to regain lost privileges.

Tutoring

Students may attend tutoring sessions to remediate 2 tardies or 1 period absence . A sign in and scan is required for a valid tutoring session. 

Attendance Definitions