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Handbook

Handbook Essentials

Attendance

The Federal No Child Left Behind Act requires that states, school districts and schools be held accountable for ensuring that all students meet high academic standards. On time, daily attendance is a critical component of this educational process. New Mexico law dictates that:

  • Students between the ages of five (5) and eighteen (18) years of age are mandated to attend public school, private school, home school or at state institution.
  • The Albuquerque Public School District reports habitual truants to the Children’s Court Liaison Office and to the State of New Mexico .

Attendance Policy

APS Family School students are allowed no more than 4 unexcused absences per trimester.

The parent/guardian must notify the school each day that the student will be absent, in accordance with the notification procedure established by the school.

Absences may be excused for the following reason, with appropriate documentation:

  • Doctor’s appointment
  • Death in the family
  • Religious commitment
  • Illness
  • Family Emergency
  • Diagnostic Testing
  • School or college visit

In the event that the school has not received notification of absence by a parent for 3 consecutive days, the school must make an attempt to contact the parent/guardian.

Students out ill for more than 3 days must get a Doctor’s Excuse for documentation.

Excessive excused absences may result in further inquiry from the principal and request for additional documentation.

Family vacations are considered unexcused absences, and it is expected that parents will schedule vacations during periods of time when school is not in session.

Students who are signed out before the end of the instructional day must have written documentation of the reason (as defined under excused absences) or be subject to the same consequences as tardy.