High School Students (9th-12th Grade)

• The State of South Carolina Department of Education allows students a total of six absences (lawful and/or unlawful) per 90-day (full unit) course or three absences per 45-day (half credit) course. Students must have a minimum of 60 contact hours in a 45-day course and 120 hours in a 90-day course to receive credit for the course. Students are allowed no more than 10 absences to receive credit for a year-long course.

• Any student who misses school must present a written excuse, signed by a parent/guardian, or a medical excuse. If the excuse is not presented within FIVE school days of the student’s return to school, the absence will be considered unlawful. Only five (5) parent notes are allowed in a school year.

• Upon the seventh absence in a full unit course, fourth absence in a 1/2-unit course, or eleventh absence in a year-long course, the record would be reviewed to determine if all procedures had been followed by the student. The administrator would then decide if credit is permitted based on the record. No credit would be permitted if the total number of absences, either lawful or unlawful, from a whole unit semester class exceeds ten. Any unlawful absence would result in an automatic FA upon the seventh absence in a semester course and upon the fourth absence for a ½ semester course. After three consecutive or a total of five unlawful absences, regulations require that school officials intervene and report non-attendance. Students may be referred for truancy mediation and/or Family Court.

Lawful Absences

The following criterion has been established for lawful absences from school. It is important to understand that although an absence may be lawful, the state still has established guidelines for promotion and retention based on the number of hours a student is in school:

1. Students who are ill and whose attendance in school would endanger their health or the health of others may be temporarily excused from attendance.

2. Students may be excused from attendance to make necessary visits to the orthodontist, dentist, physician, mental health counselor, or for family emergencies.

3. Students in whose immediate family there is a serious illness or death may be temporarily excused fromattendance.

4. Students may be excused from attendance in school for recognized religious holidays of their faith.

5. Students may be excused due to the necessity to attend court.

6. Students may be excused in advance by the principal for exceptional or extenuating circumstances.

Unlawful Absences

• Any student who misses school must present a written excuse, signed by parent or guardian, or a medical excuse with the date and time of visit. 

• If the excuse is not presented within FIVE school days of the student’s return to school, the absence will be considered unlawful. 

• Students who miss ten (10) consecutive days with no communication with the school/district will result in the student’s withdrawal from school. 

• Parents may face legal action if their child is not enrolled in school.

Seat Time Recovery

• Students who exceed the allowable number of absences may have the opportunity to recover seat time during scheduled make-up sessions. 

• Seat time recovery sessions will be held every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 3:30pm-5:30pm in the Media Center.

• See Ms. Queen in the attendance office to schedule make-up sessions.

• Per administration, seat time must be made up during the semester/quarter in which the student is enrolled in the class. 

For any questions/concerns regarding attendance, contact Ms. Queen in the attendance office (mqueen@chester.k12.sc.us)

**STUDENTS WHO EXCEED THE NUMBER OF ALLOWED ABSENCES AND WHO DO NOT COMPLETE SEAT TIME RECOVERY WITHIN THE ALLOWED TIMEFREAME WILL RECEIVE AN "FA" ON THEIR REPORT CARD AND TRANSCRIPT, REGARDLESS OF THE ACTUAL FINAL PERCENTAGE EARNED IN THE COURSE. NO CREDIT WILL BE AWARDED FOR COURSES WITH THE GRADE OF "FA".**