Section 1 - Student Attendance

St. Mary's County Public Schools' student attendance policy is based on the overriding premise that success is dependent upon continuous and consistent classroom instructional experience. Students need opportunities to master essential academic knowledge and skills, to develop an appropriate sense of self-worth, to establish positive peer relationships, and to develop a sense of responsibility.

The school cannot educate students or provide support and assistance to students when they are absent.

The school stands in loco parentis during school functions and, therefore, must take measures to ensure the safety and well-being of its students.

Under law, every child who resides in St. Mary's County and is five (5) years or older and under eighteen (18) shall attend a public school regularly during the entire school year, unless the child is elsewhere receiving regular, thorough instruction during the school year in the studies taught in the public schools to children of the same age. This applies only to students who turned age seventeen (17) on or after July 1, 2017.

Admission to Kindergarten

Children admitted to the Kindergarten program in the public schools shall be at least five years old on or before September 1 of the school year in which they apply for entrance.

Early entrance to Kindergarten may be considered for children who will not be five years old on or before September 1 but will be five years old by November 1 and who demonstrate exceptional ability in reading and mathematics.

Parent(s)/legal guardian(s) may request information concerning early entrance to Kindergarten from the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at 301-475-5511, ext. 32101.

Admission to First Grade

Children admitted to the first grade in the public schools shall be at least six years old on or before September 1 of the school year in which they apply for entrance. Parent(s)/legal guardian(s) may request information concerning early entrance to first grade from the child’s home school or the Supervisor of Elementary Programs at 301-475-5511, ext. 32123.

SCHOOL ADMISSIONS

Registration Procedures

All persons age 5 through 20 whose parent(s)/legal guardian(s) reside within St. Mary's County may attend public schools without payment of tuition.

A birth certificate or other proof of legal age (outlined in the Maryland Student Records System Manual) and proof of residence are required by the school administration upon registration.

All students entering school for the first time are required to have a physical examination, submit a report from the examining physician, and present certification stating that the child has received immunizations against communicable diseases as specified by the department of health.

Registration in Attendance Areas

Admission to a public school will be made by registering at the school which is located in the attendance area where the applicant resides.

Application for admission or transfer by students who reside outside the attendance area will be made to the Director of Student Services/Director of Special Education.

Minor Students

Minor students must be accompanied by parent(s)/legal guardian(s) to register for school.

McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

St. Mary's County Public Schools does not discriminate against homeless students. In accordance with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, when students who are homeless enter a school to register, they are admitted even if they do not have appropriate paperwork.

STUDENT DISMISSAL PRECAUTIONS

Permission to Leave School During the School Day

When leaving school early, students are required to bring a written request from the parent(s)/legal guardian(s). A student under the age of 18 must be signed in or out by his/her parent(s)/ legal guardian(s). A valid photo identification must be presented when signing students out of school. Students 18 years of age or older must be emancipated in order to sign themselves in or out of school. (SMCPS Policy JEF, Regulation JEF-R)

Early Dismissal

Students should not be dismissed early from school for religious instruction classes, music, dance, gymnastics, or similar classes.

STUDENT ABSENCES

The parent(s)/legal guardian(s) of a student must provide the necessary documentation for absences on the day that the student returns to school. If the necessary documentation is not received by the school within three (3) school days, the absence(s) will be coded unlawful. Appropriate documentation of absences should include the child’s name, date(s) of absence, reason for absence, and parent(s)’/legal guardian(s)’ signature (written note). The documentation may be provided by phone, email, school website portal, or written note.

Days Absent

A student is counted present for a full day if the student is in attendance for four hours or more of the school day. A student is counted present for one-half (½) day if in attendance for at least two hours of the school day, but less than four hours. A grade 12 student scheduled for less than a full day is to be counted present based on the amount of time he/she is scheduled. For example, a grade 12 student scheduled for a two hour block of time will be counted present for a full day if the student is in attendance for that block of time. If the student is absent for that block of time, the student will be counted absent for a full day. A grade 12 student scheduled for a two hour block of time will be counted present for one-half (½) day if the student is in attendance for one hour.

Lawful Absences

The following reasons are deemed lawful absences:

death in the immediate family;
student illness, for which the principal may require a physician's certificate;
court summons;
hazardous weather conditions;
work, if approved or sponsored by the school;
participate in approved civic engagement activities
observance of a religious holiday;
state of emergency;
medical/dental appointment
pregnant and parenting students (refer to SMCPS Board Regulations JED-R, JHCG-R)
suspension;
lack of authorized transportation; and
other circumstances which, in the judgment of the principal or designee, constitute a good and sufficient cause for absence from school.

Excessive Absences/Chronic Absenteeism

If a student is absent ten percent (18 days), the student will be referred to the Pupil Services Team (PST) for consideration of retention for the following year and/or credit withholding to ensure that the student has had an appropriate opportunity to learn and master grade level skills and/or course content. Students who are excessively absent from school may be referred to the Interagency Committee on School Attendance (ICSA).

Tardiness/Early Sign Out

Students arriving to school after the start of the student’s school day will be considered tardy. Students leaving early before the end of the school day will be counted as having a sign out.

PRE-KINDERGARTEN 4 PROGRAMS

St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) offers a high-quality full-day Pre-Kindergarten program to income-eligible families at no cost to the family. Pre-Kindergarten is funded by the Blueprint for Maryland's Future. The goal of Pre-Kindergarten is to prepare students so they enter Kindergarten ready to learn. By expanding access to economically disadvantaged families first, the intent is to assess readiness, bolster family support, and narrow opportunity gaps so early education experiences put economically disadvantaged students on a trajectory for success.

Children who are deemed income eligible, homeless, or have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) are accepted first. Families must then register their child in the school in which they are accepted.

Eligibility for Acceptance in Pre-Kindergarten

Under the Blueprint, eligibility is based on a child's age and a family's annual income. In SMCPS, the child and family must reside in St. Mary’s County and the child must be 4-years old on or before September 1st of the year in which they are applying. Income eligibility is based on a system of tiers. Tier I families that have verifiable income up to 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) are eligible and are placed first in the home school or where space is available. Tier II families have verifiable income between 301% and 600% of the Federal Poverty Level and are placed on the waitlist. Should space or locations be available after October 1st, acceptance in rank order is applied. Tier III families have verifiable income greater than 601% of the Federal Poverty Level and are waitlisted. Students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) are placed in the least restrictive environment by the IEP Team regardless of the family’s income.

Parent(s)/legal guardian(s) may apply online and upload their child’s proof of birth, proof of residency, and documentation of the family’s annual income. Parent(s)/legal guardian(s) without Wi-Fi access may contact the home school or the Department of Title I and Family Engagement for assistance at 301-475-5511, extension 32136. Printed applications are available in English and Spanish. Parent(s)/legal guardian(s) of eligible children are notified beginning in May 2026.

Pre-Kindergarten Attendance

Establishing regular on-time attendance is important to launch childhood routines, basic skills, and social-emotional expectations for learning. A Pre-Kindergarten student is counted present if the student is in attendance two (2) hours or more during the school day.

HOME/HOSPITAL TEACHING & CHRONIC HEALTH IMPAIRED PROGRAM

Short-term instruction is provided to students who are unable to attend in-person classes due to properly diagnosed physical or emotional health conditions. These services will be provided virtually or in a location determined by the Department of Student Services, with a responsible adult present. The duration of services is determined by the authorized prescriber and approved by the supervisor of Home/Hospital Teaching, who assigns home teachers to students. The Home/Hospital teaching program, although correlated with the student's planned course of studies, cannot provide all of the resources and courses provided at school. The Home/Hospital Teaching program is designed for short term educational assistance. All efforts should be made to have students returnto school. Parent(s)/legal guardian(s) may contact the school counselor for information and required forms. All questions related to school activities should be directed to the school. When school buildings are closed to students and staff for public safety and/or public health concerns, the delivery of Home/Hospital teaching services may be re-evaluated.