Did you know? The Student Attendance and Engagement Policy guides our approach to attendance and is in place to support all students.
The policy states that regular, punctual attendance supports academic success, responsibility, and preparation for the future.
Ensuring regular attendance is a joint effort between students, families and schools. As a parent/guardian, you play an important role by monitoring attendance, communicating with the school when your child is absent, and supporting your child’s regular attendance.
What Should You Know?
- Communication about absences
- Schools will monitor attendance and lateness.
- All absences must be communicated to the school, following the school’s procedure.
- If absenteeism or lateness reaches 10% of class time, the school will begin to engage more actively with the student and family.
- If it goes beyond 15%, more targeted supports may be used (counselling, referrals, community supports).
- High school credit requirement
- For Grades 10–12, students must attend at least 80% of class time to earn the credit.
- If more than 20% of class time is missed, and efforts to improve attendance haven’t succeeded, the teacher may recommend “loss of credit.” The principal makes the final decision.
What Can You Do?
- Monitor and encourage punctual, consistent attendance
- Maintain open communication with the school when absences or challenges arise
- Work with school staff to understand supports or accommodations for your child
- Be aware of the thresholds (10%, 15%) and possible consequences (intervention, loss of credit in high school)
- Remember: the policy allows flexibility. If your child has a legitimate reason for missing school (health, family issue, etc.), schools are encouraged to take a supportive approach.