ADDRESSING ABSENCES
CA does not have anything like a perfect attendance award, but we do keep track of student attendance. The following information – and more details about our school attendance and makeup work policies – can be found in our Handbook. We hope you’ll find the heart behind these rules isn’t to be legalistic or make life difficult – but to be partners. It all goes back to communication!
Overview
Florida law requires CCA to track attendance. You can see your student’s standing on quarterly report cards. If you need an update, you can also ask a school administrator. Students are allowed six absences in a semester, and no more than four in a particular quarter. For student success, we recommend scheduling all appointments and vacations on non-school days.
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Absent refers to:
Missing a day that was scheduled for school on-campus or at home
Arriving more than 3 hours late
Leaving before noon
Failing to complete 50% or more of assigned work
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Excused Planned Leave
If you know your student will miss school, we ask that you let us know with at least two weeks of notice. (You can submit your form as early as the first day of school if you want!) You can find the Leave of Absence Request form on our website on the Campus Life / Handbooks & Forms page. There are print and online form options. Pick which ever is easiest for you. If you know you’ll be leaving, but don’t have two weeks notice (for a sudden reason like bereavement), please still use this form to communicate with the school.
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Excused Unplanned Leave
If your student needs to miss school suddenly, or is unable to complete work on a homeschool day (for reasons like illness), contact the school as soon as possible to let them know and excuse your student. Students who need to stay home from an on-campus day, can be excused with a call to the front desk. An extension to make up work is only given if the parent notifies the school before returning to class that this is needed. Otherwise, it is expected that students will return caught up.
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Makeup Work
Students are expected to complete the work they missed when absent from school – it’s for their benefit! Making up school work will not change your student’s attendance report. Students will be given the same number of days to make up work as they missed. If - after you look over the lesson plans - you have concerns about an assignment, you can ask your teacher to see if any modifications can be made. Penalties to grades will be given for work returned late (after the extension) or not at all. Special circumstances – like extended leave due to illness, or COVID-related situations – may have other considerations that need to be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Please see the Handbook so you know the policies and we’ll work together within that framework.
Unexcused Absences
Students who miss school and do not have prior approval will be marked as having an unexcused absence. Students can expect late-work-grade penalties. It is up to the teacher’s discretion to decide if a make-up day is appropriate. If not, students may receive a zero on missed work.
You are making a big financial and time commitment to be part of CCA. Our school’s attendance policies are meant to help your student get the most out of their education – because we all believe they’re getting something exceptional here. If you have questions or concerns about these policies, please ask us, and let’s work together to get answers for you.
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