Attendance at Winter Park High School
Every Student. Every Class. Every Day.

Being in class every day – on time – matters. Students who miss school miss instruction, discussions, and experiences that can’t be replaced. Consistent attendance is one of the strongest predictors of academic success.

What Parents Need to Know

• Attendance is the responsibility of both parents and students.
• Every absence starts as unexcused until a written excuse is received.
• Families have 48 hours to provide documentation for an absence.
• Report cards include both attendance and tardies.

Excused Absences

The following are considered excused absences (with proper documentation):

• Student illness, injury, or medical appointment
• Death or serious injury in the immediate family
• Recognized religious holidays (request in writing 5 days in advance)
• Court/legal appointments
• Approved educational opportunities (with prior principal approval)
• Military leave (up to 5 days for deployment or return of immediate family)
• Catastrophic events (e.g., loss of housing, natural disaster)

Please Note: A doctor’s note may be required if absences for illness become frequent.

Unexcused Absences

Absences that do not fit OCPS guidelines include:

• Vacations or family trips
• Transportation issues or missed bus
• Oversleeping or non-medical appointments

Tardies & Early Check-Outs

• Students not in their class when the bell rings are tardy.
• Students must be allowed to sign in no matter how late they arrive (however, more than 4 periods missed is considered absent).
• 5 tardies or 5 early check-outs = 1 unexcused absence (for truancy purposes).

College Visits for Juniors & Seniors

• Students are permitted to attend college visits, will be treated as an excused absence (up to 5 per year).
• To excuse a college visit, the student must complete the Pre-Arranged Absence Form and provide a copy of their college visit registration or other documentation from the college admissions office.
• Students must submit the Pre-Arranged Absence Form before their absence, and the college documentation can be provided after. All documentation should be turned in to the Attendance Office.

Truancy & Consequences

Truant: 5 unexcused absences in 1 month OR 10 in 90 days.

Habitual Truant: 15 unexcused absences in 90 days.

Interventions for Truancy May Include:

• Parent meetings
• Attendance contracts
• Referral to the school’s Child Study Team
• Possible truancy petition in court if patterns continue