Attendance Policy

Good attendance is critical for student success at Central Cabarrus High School. Cabarrus County Schools and CCHS Faculty & Staff recognize that student achievement is directly dependent upon daily student attendance. All absences will be coded unexcused unless an email or a written note from the parent/guardian is received within 3 days of absence.  

In high school, students who have more than eight (8) absences in a course during each ninety-day term will NOT receive credit for that course.

1. A student must be present a minimum of 1/2 the period (45 min) to be considered in attendance for that class. 
2. All class work missed due to absences may be made up. (Within 5 days of return to school). 
3. It is the responsibility of the student to gather and complete all assignments and class work missed during an absence. 
4. Any combined total of 4: tardies, check-ins, and/or check-outs are counted as one absence.  (Example:  1 tardy + 2 check-ins + 1 check-out in 3rd period will count as 1 absence in that period).

 Any student whose academic standing is adversely affected by the attendance policy has the right to appeal.  The appeal form as well as any required documentation must be submitted to the Principal  a minimum of four days before the end of the semester.  If the situation arises where an absence occurs after the four-day limit, the appeal must be submitted within five(5) days of formal notification of denial of credit.  Appeals to the Principal are usually denied unless the student has completed all required course work to the satisfaction of the teacher(s) involved.  The Principal's decision may be appealed to the Superintendent in writing within five (5) days of the decision.  The Principal's ruling will be overturned only in extreme cases.  Teachers and administrators shall make reasonable accommodations for students who are absent because of any disabilities or special needs.

The superintendent, principal, or teacher who is in charge of a school has the right to excuse a student temporarily from attendance on account of sickness or another unavoidable cause. (Below are the valid/lawful excuses for temporary nonattendance of a student at school.) 

1. Illness or Injury: When the absence results from illness or injury which prevents the student from being physically able to attend school.
2. Quarantine: When isolation of the student is ordered by the local health officer or by the State Board of Health.
3. Death in the Immediate Family: When the absence results from the death of a member of the immediate family of the student. For the purpose of this regulation, the immediate family of a student includes, but is not necessarily limited to, grandparents, parents, brothers, and sisters.
4. Medical or Dental Appointments: When the absence results from a medical or dental appointment of a student.
5. Court or Administrative Proceedings: When the absence results from the attendance of a student at the proceedings of a court or an administrative tribunal if the student is a party to the action or under subpoena as a witness. The Local Board of Education can be considered an administrative tribunal.
6. Religious Observance: School principals are required to authorize a minimum of two excused absences each academic year for religious observances required by faith of a student or a student’s parents. The student shall be given the opportunity to make up any tests or other work missed due to this excused absence. (S.L. 2010-112)
7. Local School Board Policy: LEAs may excuse temporary or occasional absences for other reasons in accordance with local school board policies.
8. Absence related to deployment activities: - A student whose parent or legal guardian is an active duty member of the uniformed services and has been called to duty for, is on leave from, or immediately returned from deployment to a combat zone or combat support posting for the purpose of visiting said parent or legal guardian. ( G.S. 115C-407.5Article V (E) )
9. Child Care: Absences due to the illness or medical appointment during school hours of a child of whom the student is the custodial parent are to be coded excused (lawful). (G.S.115C-375.5)

All other absences are coded as unlawful. Absences for personal trips are not excused according to state guidelines. 

To download an Educational Opportunity Form, please click here. The printed form must be submitted at least three (3) days prior to the absence. Educational Opportunity exceptions are typically only granted to students who will be absent due to travel directly related to academics.