There are, of course, many different reasons why a student might be absent from school. In order to assess the reason for the absence and determine possible consequences, Prep uses the following categories:
- Absence from Class/Excused Absence – Absence from class for a school-related event or appointment will not be recorded as absence from class or school. Examples include participation in a school retreat or PIAA Prep sports team competition.
- Health Absence – an absence due to illness and/or medical appointment
- Emergency Absence – an absence of an emergency nature
- Non-Sanctioned Absence – absence due to such events as family vacations, non- medical personal appointments, non-school athletic/extra-curricular contests, or non-school related activities.
- Unauthorized Absence – absence without sufficient cause
For health and emergency type absences, it is the student’s responsibility to make up any missed work on the day he/she returns to school (see section titled "Absence on Test Days").
When an absence is deemed non-sanctioned, class work is to be kept current and submitted to the teacher upon return to class. It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements with the teacher for make-up work and tests, if the teacher wishes to extend this consideration to the student (see Mandatory Attendance section).
An unauthorized absence, e.g., truancy (“cutting” school/class), forgery of an authorizing excuse, impersonating a parent or guardian, or any other action that is not appropriate for dismissal from a school day, is deemed an absence without sufficient cause. For such infractions a student is automatically placed on probation. No school work (e.g. tests, quizzes, or other assessments) is allowed to be made up, and the student will receive a “0” for any such class work missed. A second offense makes the student subject to suspension, or if serious enough, warrants dismissal.
All health, emergency, non-sanctioned, and unauthorized type absences are counted toward total days absent for the year.
