• Students must attend at least one day before October 1 to stay enrolled.
• Missing the first 8 days of school (excused or not) means the student will not be enrolled unless a written agreement is made to start later.

• Students absent for over 20 consecutive days will not be counted as enrolled unless:
• There is a written agreement with the school that the absence will not harm the student’s progress.
• The student receives home/hospital services and remains enrolled in the district.

Students who are absent more than 20 days without an agreement may me subject to unenrollment for non-attendance.

Students who are absent more than 20 days without an agreement may me subject to unenrollment for non-attendance.

• School or district-approved activities or programs.
• Illness, medical appointments (doctor, dentist, optometrist).
• 5 or more consecutive days require a doctor’s note.
• Extended medical absences over 3 days or recurring appointments need a Preplanned Absence form.
• Family emergencies or bereavements (more than 3 days need a Preplanned Absence form).
• Court appearances or jury duty (official documents required).
• Visits for post-secondary schools, apprenticeships, or scholarships (Preplanned Absence form needed).
• State-recognized search and rescue activities (Preplanned Absence form needed).
• Absences related to homelessness, deployment of a parent/guardian, or student safety concerns (like bullying or threats).
• Disciplinary or corrective actions.
• Migrant status related absences.
• Absences for faith or conscience reasons, up to 2 days per year (Preplanned Absence form needed). Including religious or cultural holidays or instruction.
• Approved activities that support learning, community, or skills (Preplanned Absence form needed).
• Unsafe weather conditions affecting school transport.

• Excused absences allow students to make up missed work within reasonable time limits.
• Grades may be affected in participation-based classes if activities cannot be made up.

• Parents/guardians must notify Attendance Office in writing, verbally, or electronically before the student leaves.
• Students get a Temporary Early Dismissal pass and must sign out at Attendance before leaving campus.
• Early dismissal due to illness requires nurse approval and signing out at Attendance.
• If someone else picks up the student, they must be listed in the student record and show ID for safety.

• Any absence not matching the excused reasons above is unexcused.
• Absences without a valid reason or proper parent notification are unexcused (e.g., family trips, oversleeping, missing the bus, babysitting).
• Leaving early without signing out is unexcused.
• Missing most of the school day counts as an unexcused (truant) day.

• Schools may use tardies and early departures as part of attendance interventions.
• Arriving late to school or class counts as tardy.
• Parent/guardian must notify the school within 2 days to excuse a tardy.

• Submit a Preplanned Absence form at least 2 days before the absence.
• It is not guaranteed to be excused just because it was planned.

• Parent/guardian must notify the school within 2 school days after the student returns.
• If absent 5 days in a row, a doctor’s note is required within 3 days of return.

Student should complete the PDF below and email it to Attendance. Please allow 3-5 days to process.

Attendance Notification Change

When do I come by the attendance window?
Important: Signing in (late arrival) and out (early dismissal) and to drop off forms and notes from parents.

Do I sign in at the attendance when I’m late (any period)?
Yes, sign in at the attendance window when arriving late so that we can accurately reflect attendance.

What do I do if I was in class and marked absent?
Stop by the attendance window for an Attendance Correction slip. Teacher permission is needed to remove an absence or tardy. Or speak to your teacher to clear the mistake; your parent cannot clear/excuse the absence for you.

Which absences need a Preplanned Absence form versus email or note?
Scroll down to see Definitions (Seattle School District) Valid Excuses

What if I forget to hand in a Preplanned Absence form before an absence?
Your absences will stay unexcused (don’t forget to hand in – day before ok – otherwise it’s too late).

What if I have recurring medical appointments and want to leave the same time, same day, each week?
Make sure to turn in a Preplanned Absence form (extended medical) with the information; each semester.

When is it too late to excuse an absence?
Important: You now have two (2) days to update attendance from the date of absence. This is a new update.

What happens if I leave school and don’t sign out?
Your absence will remain unexcused.

What if I’m feeling sick at school and want to go home?
You must see the nurse, or her backup, and get a release to leave. If you leave without the pass from the nurse (left at attendance), the absence will be unexcused.

Can my parent call so I can leave early when I feel sick?
So long as it meets the early dismissal guidelines… must be in advance (at least an hour).

What if my parents can’t pick me up; can someone else?
So long as “someone else” is listed as a contact in your record; or a written authorization is sent with the early dismissal request (email and phone calls are not accepted).

What if I walk out of class, or go to the bathroom and stay too long?
Your teacher may mark you left early or absent and it can stay unexcused. If you miss more than 10 minutes of class, you are considered absent.

How is attendance updated for in-school participation/events (class meetings, Link Crew, PSAT, College/Career day, various individualized testing, etc.)?
Attendance is taken at the event, verified by organizers, then submitted to attendance for entry. Do not anticipate attendance updates the same day (check your SOURCE account to verify completion).

How is early dismissal for sports handled?
The coach submits a list to the attendance office; the list is distributed to teachers; the teachers dismiss the student; the attendance will be updated by next day at latest. Parents cannot excuse students for sports early dismissals.

5 excused absences in a month

Schedule a family conference, convene 504/IEP and/or McKinney-Vento team if applicable.

10 excused absences in the school year

Schedule a family conference, convene 504/IEP and/or McKinney-Vento team if applicable.

1st unexcused absence

Inform parent/Guardian in home language.

3rd unexcused absences

Schedule a meeting/conference with the parent/legal guardian and student. Convene 504/IEP/McKinney-Vento if applicable.

Between the 2nd and 7th unexcused absence

The school is required to take data informed steps* to address barriers to attendance.

7th unexcused absences within 30 days

School must either enter into a written agreement with the family, refer to District Attendance Office, or file a truancy petition in juvenile court.

15th unexcused absences in a school year

School must enter into a written agreement, if not done so yet. District Attendance Office will file Truancy Petition.

1st Unexcused Absence

Must inform the parent/guardian there is an unexcused absence.

Between the 2nd and 7th Unexcused Absence

• Must apply the Attendance Student Assessment and take data informed steps* to address barriers to attendance.
• Attendance Student Assessment

3rd Unexcused Absence

• Must schedule a conference to identify barriers, provide supports and resources.
• Who should be at the conference?
  • At least one school district employee such as a nurse, counselor, social worker, teacher, or community human services provider
  • the parent/guardian/supportive adult
  • the student
  • If a student has a 504 or IEP and/or McKinney-Vento: The IEP team that created the program or plan is required.

Not later than the 7th Unexcused Absence

1. Enter into an attendance agreement between the school, parent, & student,
2. Refer to a Community Engagement Board (CEB), OR
3. File a Truancy Petition

7th Unexcused Absence

7th excused absence in a month and not later than fifteenth unexcused absence in a year: must file a truancy petition with Juvenile Court.