Attendance Policy

At ACS Athens, daily attendance is deemed to be an extremely important component in the academic success of the students. It is well understood and documented that there is a direct correlation between regular school attendance and academic achievement. Despite the best efforts and intentions of all, it is further understood that the make-up of work missed cannot duplicate the actual classroom experience and that achievement may suffer. A student is considered to be absent when the student is not in the class assigned for a particular period of the day.

Parents are kindly requested to notify the Service and Citizenship Coordinator by email at mologousisp@acs.gr or by phone at 210 60 70 267 until 9:30 a.m. if a student is not coming to school. Students must have a note from home with a valid reason in order to receive an excused absence, although telephone verification may be accepted. For absences of more than three days, a doctor’s note is required. Parents and students are expected to turn in an excuse for their absence(s) the day they return to school. Parents are asked to plan outside activities (dental appointments, trips, etc.) around the school schedule and calendar. Students who are excessively absent, regardless of the cause for absence (this is defined as being absent more than 10% of the instructional days) may fail a course(s).

The American Community Schools recognize that absence from school does and will occur. In recognition of this fact, the student Attendance Policy classifies absences into one of the following categories:

Excused absences for non-school related issues:

• Medical: Parents should phone the school each morning that a student will be absent for medical reasons (illness, medical appointments, etc.) The school reserves the right to require a statement from an appropriate medical authority verifying the requirement for the student’s absence.

  • Parental failure to inform the school of a student’s absence or provide medical documentation when required will result in the student being assessed an “unexcused” absence.

  • In the case of extended absences due to illness, the Citizenship Office and Administration will carefully monitor student progress. After consultation with the parent(s), they will take such action as is necessary to support the best interest of the student and preserve the integrity of the educational process.

• Personal Reasons: Absences from school for personal reasons that are unavoidable are considered “excused”. Parents should phone the school each morning that a student will be absent or provide a written note in advance of absences if possible. Absences that fall into this category, for example, include those due to death in the family or family emergencies that require the presence of the student. The principal of the school will make the final determination as to whether an absence in this category is “Excused” or “Unexcused”. Parental failure to provide a written explanation will result in the student being assessed an “Unexcused” absence.

Unexcused Absences:

Any absence not excused by the Administration will be assessed as “unexcused”. Unexcused absences from school or class periods may result in disciplinary action Class work missed due to unexcused absences cannot be made up.

Repeated unexcused absences may result in loss or credit, expulsion for misconduct, or denial of admission for the following semester or school year. Absences due to vacation extensions will generally be counted as “unexcused”.

• Cutting Class: Cutting class (missing class without a valid excuse; or being more than 20 minutes late for class without a valid excuse) is considered a serious academic offense, showing respect for the learning process. Students who skip class will receive a grade of zero for all work done/due on the day of the class or for the day’s class.

Teachers are not required to prepare additional supplementary material for the student to make up, except in the case of an extended illness. Students involved with a planned absence must arrange to inform the teachers ahead of time to gather assignments.

Excused absences for school-related reasons:

Students participating in co-curricular or extended learning activities are based on individual choice and personal interest. These activities are normally scheduled after school hours and on weekends but may require absence from class. No student may miss in excess of 10% of the instructional days (or class periods) in a given school year. It is understood that non-routine absences such as external examinations), assemblies, and approved class meetings must be pre-approved by the Citizenship Coordinator in order not to count towards the above 10% figure within the context of the attendance policy. Additionally, students who are on Greece’s National team either for sport or educational events may also require to miss class time, their absences will not count toward the above 10%.

Punctuality

To maintain the integrity of the learning environment, students are expected to arrive at school and all classes on time and be prepared for learning when the final bell has rung.Failure to arrive to class on time without a valid excuse will be discussed with the corresponding teacher. Should the tardiness to class occur again, there will be a conversation and monitoring with the Citizenship Coordinator. Excessive tardiness to class may result in a meeting with the Principal for further support. Tardiness due to a late school bus (bus arrival after 8:55 a.m.), will be assessed as “no count”.

Early Dismissal from School

A student who needs to leave school early for a legitimate reason, parent or guardian must inform the Citizenship Coordinator or provide a signed written request, which should be submitted by the student to the Citizenship Office upon arrival at school.

Withdrawal of Students from School

Given the transient nature of many of our families, it occasionally becomes necessary to withdraw a student from school during the year. If this is the case, parents should send a letter to the Principal and the ACS Athens Registrar, indicating the student’s last day of school and if student records will be hand-carried or mailed to the new school. This letter should reach the school one week prior to withdrawal. The Student Affairs Office monitors the check-out process, whereby the student returns books, satisfies any outstanding obligations, and bids farewell to ACS friends. A student may not attend school after completing the check-out procedure.

Staying After School

Buses depart campus at 3:55 p.m. All students are required to leave campus at that time unless they are staying after school for an activity supervised by a teacher. Students waiting for an after school activity to begin may not leave the school premises unless they have written permission from their parents which they provide to the Citizenship Office.