Attendance Matters
We want your child to have the best chance to succeed in school—and that starts with showing up every day. Daily attendance helps your child build important skills, stay on track with learning, and move confidently toward the next grade or graduation.
In California, school attendance is required by law for students ages 6 to 18.
When your child is absent, you have 5 days to let the school know the reason for the absence. If it isn’t cleared within those 5 days, it will be marked as unexcused.
Excused Absences
Your child can be absent for valid reasons like:
If your child misses too many days, even with a reason, you may be asked to provide a doctor’s note to excuse future absences.
Excessive Absences
Missing school frequently can affect your child’s learning. If absences (excused or unexcused) start to build up, the school will take steps to help get things back on track:
Step 1: You’ll receive a letter after 3 unexcused absences or 5 excused absences.
Step 2: If there are 5 or more unexcused absences, you’ll be invited to an After School Meeting (ASM) to learn more about how we can support your child’s attendance.
Step 3: If unexcused absences reach 8 or more, or excused absences reach 10 or more, you’ll be scheduled for a one-on-one meeting with a school administrator to create a plan for improvement.
Step 4: Continued absences may lead to a meeting with the School Attendance Review Board (SARB), where we’ll connect you with community resources and create a formal attendance agreement. In serious cases, this may include legal follow-up.
We’re here to support your family every step of the way!
Verifying Sickness
We want your child in school as much as possible, but if they’re truly sick, keeping them home helps everyone stay healthy. Here are a few guidelines:
Keep your child home if:
- They have a fever of 100°F or higher. They should stay home until they’re fever-free for 24 hours without medicine.
- They’ve started antibiotics for something contagious like strep throat or pink eye. They can return after 24 hours of medication.
- They’re vomiting or have diarrhea. Wait 24 hours after symptoms stop before sending them back.
Send your child to school if they’re feeling just a little “off” or say things like “my tummy hurts.” Many kids feel better once they’re at school with friends and routine.
If you are unsure, call your student’s school.
Tip: Avoid making sick days fun. Rest should be the focus. Be careful not to allow video games, snacks, or special privileges, which can incentivize a “day off” to a day at school.
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