School attendance is VERY important. During the 2023-24 school year alone, our school lost $266,143 in funding due to student absences. Absences are also a MAJOR factor in student success and may affect a student’s transfer status if they become excessive. To receive credit or a final grade for a class, all Austin ISD students are required to attend class 90 percent of the days class is offered regardless of whether the student's absences are excused or unexcused (this is referred to as the 90% rule).
Examples of unexcused absences:
- Vacations
- Parent/guardian illness note
- Attendance at non-school sponsored events
Examples of excused absences:
- School field trip
- Observing religious holy days. Travel is limited to no more than one day of travel to and from the event. Church retreats, camps, mission trips, and individual religious rites (baptisms, christenings, bar and bat mitzvahs, etc.) are not holy days.
- Temporarily absent during the school day because of an appointment for the student with a licensed healthcare professional. The student returns to school on the same day of the appointment with a note from the healthcare professional.
- Appearing at a governmental office to complete paperwork required in connection with the student’s application for US citizenship or taking part in a US naturalization oath ceremony.
- Participation in activities related to Child Protection Services or the Juvenile Justice System.
If a student must be absent, there are several options to document their absence:
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Complete a paper form in the front office
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Complete and email this form to winn@austinisd.org