Attendance Policies & Practices
In Brunswick County Schools, we understand that regular school attendance is essential for our students' success in school and later in life.
Attendance is not only a state requirement but a building block for lifelong habits of accountability and achievement.
BCS Attendance Procedures
Chronic absenteeism is being absent for at least 10 percent of the days enrolled, regardless of the reason (excused, unexcused, and/or suspension) and places students at risk of not mastering content standards.
Students who are chronically absent may be referred for academic and/or attendance interventions within a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS).
Three (3) unexcused absences: Parent/Guardian notification by phone on an automated daily notification system.
Six (6) unexcused absences: Parent notification by mail.
Eight (8) or more absences (excused & unexcused): Attendance Committee will convene to review
Ten (10) unexcused absences: Parent/Guardian notification by mail, referral to Compulsory Attendance Intervention.
For grade K-8 students who are chronically absent, grade retention will be considered due to a lack of mastery.
For High School Only - students who exceed ten (10) unexcused absences in any course during a semester will not automatically receive credit toward graduation. However, students may restore eligibility for course credit through Learning Recovery (LR) or a waiver process.
Excused Absences
No more than 7 absences per semester will be excused based on parent notes. Future absences due to personal illness, injury, or medical/dental appointments, will require a healthcare practitioner's statement to be excused.
All notes to excuse absences must be submitted within 5 days of the absence(s). Excusable Absences Include: illness/injury, quarantine, death in the immediate family, medical/dental appointments, court proceedings, religious observances, and pre-approved educational opportunities. Please refer to BCS Policy Code 4400 for additional reasons.
Unexcused Absences
K-12: After the accumulation of ten (10) unexcused absences in one school year, the district will follow Compulsory Attendance Intervention referral procedures. High School Only: Students who exceed ten (10) unexcused absences in any course during a semester will not automatically receive credit toward graduation. However, students may restore eligibility for course credit through Learning Recovery (LR) or a waiver process.