Edgewater High School Edgewater High School Home Edgewater High School Contact Us
Athletics School Information Clubs & Activities Staff Media Center Academics Guidance

School Information

Attendance Policy

[Printable PDF copy]

Florida State Law is the basis for Edgewater High School's attendance policy. Florida attendance statutes and Orange County School Board policy are specific about the number of days a student may be absent. In accordance with state and county policies, any student having 10 days of unexcused absences in a semester course, or 20 days of unexcused absences in a yearlong course, are subject to failing the course. Edgewater is a closed campus. All students must check out through attendance before leaving campus. Due to the campus being closed, there is no student parking in the two-hour zone along Edgewater Drive.

Edgewater High School Attendance Policy

1. Absences will be excused for the following reasons:

a. Illness or injury
b. Illness or death of a member of the student's immediate family
c. Recognized religious holiday and/or religious instruction
d. Medical or dental appointments
e. Court appearance
f. Pre-arranged absence of educational value with principal's prior approval. Pre-arranged
absence forms are available in the Attendance Office and must be completed by the parent prior to the absence and in sufficient time for administrative approval.

2. If a student is not in class, the student is absent. (Teachers: Please do NOT keep students from another teacher's class.)

3. Attendance will be recorded daily. Attendance will be taken during the first few minutes of class. Students must sign into each class when tardy.

4. Teachers must supply the attendance office with a list of all students going on field trips prior to leaving campus.

5. Students with 10 days unexcused absences in a semester course, or 20 days unexcused absences in a yearlong course, may receive an "F" in that course. The principal (or designee) can waive this policy in extreme circumstances. Students must complete the following procedures to obtain a waiver:

a. Have completed all coursework in accordance with school policy
b. Have approval from the principal (or designee) to take the comprehensive exam
c. Pass the comprehensive exam.

6. Notice will be made by the teacher to parents/guardian of students having 5 unexcused absences.

7. Students under the age of 16 with more than 10 unexcused absences will be reported to the school social worker.

8. Students between the ages of 14 and 18 years of age with 15 unexcused absences or more in a 90-day period will not be able to acquire or maintain their driver's license. These students will be reported to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, who will notify the students.

9. Messages left by parent/guardian will only be taken by the school for emergencies such as transportation problems and/or family medical emergencies. NO MESSAGES OF A PERSONAL NATURE WILL BE TAKEN.

10. Deliveries of flowers, balloons or other gifts are NOT permitted during school hours. Deliveries of this kind should be made to the student's home.

Steps for reporting an excused absence:

Effective January 2006 Orange County Public Schools no longer accepts call ins for reporting an absence. All absences are excused by written Doctor/Parent notes. These notes should be brought into the Attendance office within 48 hours upon the students return to school. The following information needs to be included:

a. Student name
b. Student 10 digit identification number
c. Student grade level
d. Home telephone number
e. Date(s)of absence
f. Parent/Guardian signature
g. Reason for absence

E-mails are not considered as excuse notes and will not be accepted as well.

Make-up Work: It is the student's responsibility to request and complete make-up work. The student has the equivalent of the number of days absent, plus one additional day, to request and submit make-up work to the teacher. Students should realize that class participation and interaction in the classroom is a vital part of learning. Make-up work is required at the beginning of class while attendance is being taken, and cannot be made up thereafter. Each teacher will deal with class tardies.

Truancy: A student is required by state law to attend school. Disciplinary action will be taken if: a student arrives at school and then leaves campus; has chronic absences from classes; or fails to attend specific classes.