Saturday School

Attendance and Medical Absences (90% Rule)

Although our school is not governed by Texas Education Agency (TEA) directives, we maintain the same attendance standard regarding class participation and instructional time. Students are expected to attend at least 90% of scheduled class time in order to receive credit for a course.

It is important to understand that all absences—whether excused or unexcused—apply toward the 90% attendance requirement. A doctor’s note or medical documentation may excuse the absence for disciplinary or truancy purposes, but it does not remove the absence from the student’s overall attendance calculation.

Excused vs. Unexcused Absences

A medically excused absence serves several important purposes:

• It verifies that the absence was legitimate.

• It protects the student from truancy-related consequences.

• It allows the student the opportunity to make up missed assignments and assessments in accordance with school policy.

• It provides documentation that may support accommodations for chronic or ongoing medical conditions.

However, even excused medical absences still count toward the total number of missed instructional hours under the school’s 90% attendance policy.

Partial-Day Medical Appointments

When possible, families are encouraged to schedule medical appointments in a manner that allows students to attend at least part of the school day. Students who are present for a portion of the day may minimize the impact on their attendance record and instructional time.

Attendance Review and Credit Restoration

Students who fall below the 90% attendance threshold are not automatically denied credit. The school may review individual circumstances, especially in cases involving documented medical issues. When appropriate, administrators may approve an attendance recovery or instructional plan that enables the student to restore credit through additional academic work or other approved measures.

Our goal is to partner with families in supporting both student wellness and academic success while maintaining the integrity of classroom instruction and attendance expectations.

Saturday School Attendance Recovery Policy

In order to support academic accountability and maintain the integrity of classroom instructional time, the school may offer Saturday School as an attendance recovery opportunity for students who fall below the required attendance threshold.

Purpose

Saturday School is designed to provide students with an opportunity to recover instructional hours and restore eligibility for course credit when attendance deficiencies occur.

Scheduling

Saturday School sessions will generally be held during the final Saturdays of each semester, as well as at other times deemed necessary by the Dean of Students.

The school reserves the right to determine the dates, times, structure, and requirements of all Saturday School sessions.

Eligibility and Requirements

Students assigned to Saturday School are expected to attend the full session and complete all required academic or instructional activities.

Attendance at Saturday School may be required for students who:

• Fall below the school’s 90% attendance requirement;

• Accumulate excessive absences, whether excused or unexcused; or

• Are otherwise assigned by school administration for attendance recovery purposes.

Please note that excused absences, including medically documented absences, still apply toward the school’s 90% attendance requirement and may therefore necessitate attendance recovery through Saturday School.

Finals Eligibility

Students who owe Saturday School hours:

• Will not be eligible for final exam exemptions; and

• May not take final examinations until all assigned Saturday School obligations have been completed.

Failure to complete required Saturday School hours may also impact course credit and promotion decisions.

Cost

The fee for Saturday School is $100 per Saturday School day. All fees must be paid in accordance with school billing procedures (billed to the FACTS account).

Administrative Authority

The Dean of Students retains the authority to make final determinations regarding attendance recovery requirements, student eligibility, scheduling, and successful completion of Saturday School obligations.