Our schools follow Kent School District (KSD) policies and procedures Washington State Law to ensure every student is successful.

• Kent School Board Policy 3121 Compulsory Attendance

• Kent School Board Procedure 3121P Compulsory Attendance

• Kent School Board Policy 3122 Excused & Unexcused Absences

• Washington State Legislature Compulsory School Attendance & Admission (28A.225 RCW)

We all have a role to play in student attendance.

• Students are expected to attend all assigned classes each school day on time.

• School staff is required to take daily attendance, maintain a record of absences and tardiness, and notify parents/guardians of unexcused absences.

• Parents/guardians (or students in special circumstances) are expected to report student absences to the school and provide excusal information.

Learn how to report absences and discover how schools track attendance.

Learn why attendance is important and find tips/resources to help you student(s) with good attendance. 

If an absence is excused, the student shall be permitted to make up all missed assignments outside of class, under reasonable conditions and time limits established by the appropriate teacher.

An excused absence may affect a student’s grade in participation-type classes because of the student’s inability to make up the activities conducted during a class period.

The following are valid reasons to excuse absences and tardiness.

• Illness

• Health condition (including mental health)

• Medical appointment

• Family emergency

• Religious purposes

• Court, judicial proceeding or serving on a jury

• Post-secondary, technical school or apprenticeship program visitation, or scholarship interview

• State-recognized search and rescue activities consistent with RCW 28A.225.055

• Directly related to the student’s homeless status.

• Participation in a school-approved activity or instructional program

• Parental-approved activities

• Absence resulting from disciplinary actions

During remote learning, the following are additional reasons for excused absences:

• Caring for a family member who has an illness or medical appointment due to Covid-19

• Student’s employment or other family obligations that are temporarily necessary due to COVID-19 until other arrangements can be made

• Parent’s work schedule

  • Lack of necessary instructional tools including connectivity

  • Other COVID-19 related circumstances determined between school and parent or emancipated youth

Unexcused absences fall into two categories:

1. Submitting an excuse which does not constitute an excused absence as defined previously.

2. Failing to submit, whether by phone, in person, email or written any type of excuse statement signed by the parent, guardian or adult student. This type of absence is also defined as truancy.

Please try to schedule extended trips during scheduled school vacation periods (summer, winter, mid-winter and spring breaks).

19 Days or Less

Planned absences of less than 20 days usually require only parental permission by way of a phone call, fax, email, or written note explaining the reason for the absence and the dates involved.

• The absence must meet the criteria listed in Policy 3122 in order for the absence to be considered excused.

• Additional documentation (such as a doctor’s note) may be required by the principal.

• Students are responsible for completing all assigned coursework from their absence.

20 Days or More

For pre-planned absences extending to or beyond 20 days, students and/or parent/guardians are required to make an appointment with an administrator at the school prior to the absences occurring.

A student with 20 or more consecutive days of absences may be withdrawn from the school and may not be able to be placed back in the class or school in which they were previously enrolled.