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Attendance

Attendance

Regular attendance is one of the most important factors in a student's success. Students are expected to attend school every day that school is in session. Families are encouraged to schedule vacations, appointments, and other activities outside of school hours whenever possible.

Reporting an Absence

If your student will be absent, please email attendance@horizonhonors.org before 9 AM on each day of the absence.

Include:

  1. Student's full name (with correct spelling)
  2. Date of the absence
  3. Grade level
  4. Reason for the absence
  5. Parent/guardian phone number

Arizona law requires schools to document the reason for every student absence. If a reason is not provided within 24 hours, the absence will be recorded as unexcused.

Attendance Policies:

  • Under Arizona Department of Education guidelines, excused absences may include:

    • Illness
    • Medical, dental, or therapy appointments
    • Mental or behavioral health needs
    • Bereavement
    • Family emergencies
    • Homelessness-related circumstances
    • Military processing
    • Out-of-school suspension (within state limits)

     

    Family vacations are considered on a school-by-school basis under Arizona law.

     

    Students who miss more than half of the instructional day may not participate in school-sponsored activities that day, including:

    • Athletics
    • Concerts and performances
    • Extracurricular activities
    • Assessments and other school events

    Exceptions may be approved in advance by school administration.

  • Students arriving after the official start of the school day must sign in at the front office.

    To excuse a tardy, a parent or guardian must:

    • Sign the student in at the front office
      OR
    • Email the reason for the late arrival within 24 hours.

    Repeated tardiness or missing a significant portion of class time may result in loss of course credit or other academic consequences.

  • Parents or authorized adults must report to the front office to sign a student out before leaving campus. This applies to all students, including those who drive themselves. Only a parent, guardian, or authorized emergency contact 18 years or older listed in PowerSchool may sign out a student. A valid photo ID is required.

    Frequent early dismissals may impact attendance and academic standing.

  • Students who accumulate 9 or more absences in a semester (excused and/or unexcused) may be at risk of:

    • Losing course credit
    • Not being promoted to the next grade level

    Students with 5 or more unexcused absences may be considered habitually truant and may be referred for legal intervention in accordance with Arizona law and Governing Board Policy JHB.