It’s important for students to make and keep good attendance habits from the very first day of school to have a successful school year.
Students who attend school regularly perform better academically and are more likely to graduate from high school than students who are chronically absent (defined as missing 10% or more of school days, excused or not). Unfortunately, one in three Colorado students are chronically absent, according to the Colorado Department of Education.
PSD has a goal of 95% average daily attendance. To help families track absences and offer support, schools will send parents and guardians a letter if their child passes the following thresholds:
- Absent 10% or more of school days so far in the school year
- Absent 15% or more of school days so far in a school year
- Absent 25% or more of school days so far in a school year
These percentages account for both excused and unexcused absences. Unexcused absences are days missed for any reason not listed in the excused absence listed in the Student Code of Conduct under Student Attendance/Truancy (JH/JHB).
Parents and guardians will also receive letters if their child becomes habitually truant by having four or more unexcused absences in one month or 10 or more unexcused absences in a year.
Leaving school for vacations, work (outside of a work-study program under school supervision), or appointments that can take place outside of school hours/have not been pre-approved by a school administrator are examples of unexcused absences for a student.
While a goal of 100% attendance doesn’t leave space for occasional student illness, going to school 95% or more of the time helps students stay on track with their schoolwork and feel more connected with staff, peers, and activities at school, which has positive impacts on student mental health and belonging.
Absences can add up quickly and negatively impact a student’s progress. Missing just a couple days each month means a child is losing out on more than 10% of in-class learning.
PSD staff want to partner with families in getting students to class. Please contact your school if you have questions or need attendance support.
More Information
Excused absences
In addition to the reasons listed in Attendance Policy JH/JHB, the following reasons can also be excused as pre-arranged/excused absences in PSD for K-12 schools:
- Appointments with a doctor, dentist, or therapist
- College or university visits
- Funerals
- Non-school organized competitive activities
- Serious illness or death of immediate family member
- Vacations**
- VISA expiration/renewal from home country
- Weddings
**The principal may deny an excused absence for vacations on a case-by-case basis after working with families to understand if there are circumstances around vacation timing that may be out of their control.
Attendance challenges and partnering with school staff
Our school and district staff want to support our students and families when they are faced with obstacles and challenges that impact attendance. School staff can partner with families to create exclusions that would remove their absences from the attendance counts that generate the automated notifications for instances such as:
- Documented medical conditions
- Mental health impairments
- Disability-related conditions
- Foster care placements
- McKinney-Vento support
- Religious or cultural events
- Other documented barriers
What to do before a planned absence
We understand that it is not always possible for families to make travel plans and appointments after school, during district breaks, or days off from school. When possible, please report pre-planned absences as early as possible to your school or through ParentVUE. Schools may reach out directly to families when there are high numbers of absences and there are concerns about student academic performance, social development, or connection to school culture. Again, please know we are here to partner with you in addressing underlying causes for these absences. Together we can address the specific needs of your child and reach our goal of 95% attendance.
Students in our secondary schools should also talk with their teachers when they know they will be absent. This may allow students to get work ahead of time or arrange a plan for support when they return.