Attendance Guidelines

Attendance Policy

How Absences are Recorded

Absences are recorded by class period, not by day.

Reporting Absences

If a student will be missing school or arriving late, parents should call the attendance line at (262) 694-5157  to report the student's absence, late arrival, or early release.

Excessive Absences

After ten absences in a semester in any class, a conference may be called with the student and parents to learn more about the issue and discuss potential resolutions. After fifteen absences in a semester in any class, a second conference may be called to address that student’s particular needs and a plan for improved attendance. After twenty absences in a semester in any class, a contract may be developed that is tied to future enrollment. 

Excessive Absences in Physical Education

Students are expected to attend and actively participate in all PE classes. Attendance and participation are crucial components of the PE curriculum. The following policy applies to absences and non-participation in PE classes: 

1. Absences:

   • If a student misses more than 10 PE classes, they will be required to make up the missed classes. Arrangements for make-up sessions will be coordinated with the PE teacher.

2. Non-Participation:

   • If a student is in attendance but unable to participate physically due to a valid reason (such as illness or injury), they will be required to complete an alternate assignment provided by the PE teacher. The assignment will be designed to ensure the student continues to meet the learning objectives of the PE curriculum.

Leaving Campus During School Hours

Students are not allowed to leave campus for any reason without the explicit consent of their parent/guardian. Explicit parental consent is defined as direct, confirmed communication with the Middle/High School Office through email or the attendance line. Text messages or phone calls via the student will not be considered explicit parental consent. Any student who leaves school without explicit parental consent may be subject to disciplinary measures. Students must also sign out at the Middle/High School Office before departing. Students are not permitted to leave campus during lunch due to time constraints and safety concerns. 

Senior Open Campus Policy

Senior students may leave the Christian Life School campus under one or more of the following conditions:

• When the student has LSC either 1st, 5th, or 8th hour

• When the student has two or more consecutive LSC periods

Students who qualify for Open Campus:

• Must submit a parent-signed permission form to the Middle/High School Office and be approved by the administration

• Must sign in and out of school at the Middle/High School Office

• Must arrive to class on time when returning to campus

• Must not bring food into the classrooms

• Must follow CLS behavior policies while off campus, and will be held accountable for decisions made while off campus

• Must not return to campus until the next scheduled class or at 3:30 pm if returning for an after-school activity

• May lose Open Campus privileges if CLS policies are not followed

• May lose Open Campus privileges if they leave campus with students who do not qualify for Open Campus

Extended Absences

If students will be absent for three or more consecutive days due to medical or personal reasons, it is their responsibility to communicate with teachers and plan for missing work in advance. Parents should call the attendance line to notify the school of the extended absence.

School-Sponsored Events

Students participating in any school-sponsored events must adhere to the teachers’ due dates unless other arrangements are made with the teachers in advance. 

Skipping

Skipping is any absence from a class period that is not authorized by a school official. This includes students who do not attend class, refuse to attend class, leave without permission, arrive excessively late, or leave class early. Leaving campus without signing out at the Middle/High School Office is considered skipping. Students are not permitted to leave school during lunch or LSC periods. Skipping is considered a major offense and will be disciplined accordingly.

Suspensions

In-school suspensions and out-of-school suspensions will be counted as absences. Students are required to complete all assignments by the original, assigned due dates. 

Tardies

Tardies are cumulative and are based on the sum of all tardies in all courses. Every four tardies in a semester will result in a detention and the accrual of points as a minor violation. Tardiness is defined as not being over the threshold of the door by the time the bell rings. A parent's notification of a late arrival does not excuse a tardy.  Tardies are excused for appointments only.