TARDIES
A student is expected to be in class by the time the tardy bell stops ringing.

Tardy procedures may vary from teacher to teacher. The teacher's syllabus will explain the tardy disciplinary procedure followed in class.

Attendance Policy & Procedures


ATTENDANCE POLICY
According to ARS 15-803, students are expected to attend school until their 16th birthday. Statutes establish that the parent/guardian is responsible for the child’s daily attendance and to inform the school of absences in a timely manner. It is impossible to gain the full benefit of any class experience through make-up work. “Absences may be considered excessive when the number of absent days exceeds ten percent of the number of required attendance days…” as stated in ARS 15-802. Prescott High School allows a total of 14 absences, excused or unexcused, or four (4) unexcused absences per class per semester prior to losing credit for that class. When a student reaches five (5) unexcused absences or a total of 15 absences, excused or unexcused per class per semester, they will lose credit.

Students have the right to:
Know how school policy defines and handles absences and tardies
Ask that a penalty for an absence be reviewed
Make up work missed during an excused absence

Students have the responsibility to:
Attend classes and be on time
Ask parents/guardians to notify the school when absent
Ask teachers for, and complete make-up assignments

Excused absences are defined as absences caused by illness, death in the family, medical or dental appointment, religious observance, and court appearance. The building administration determines whether the absence is excused or unexcused. Students are allowed to make up work missed. However, due to the nature of some class activities, such as labs, presentations, or discussions, make-up work may not always be available and the work missed may reflect negatively on the grade. Excused absences count toward the 14 absences allowed each semester. Homework may be requested if the absence is longer than three (3) days.

Unexcused absences (Truancy) are defined as absences that are unnecessary and avoidable. This type of absence includes, but is not limited to, absences not verified by a parent/guardian within 24 hours and leaving class or campus without following the proper procedures. No make-up work is given and unexcused absences count toward the 14 absences allowed each semester. Students with five (5) unexcused absences in a class will receive no credit and ten (10) consecutive unexcused absences will result in withdrawal from school.

Absences that do not count toward the 14 absences and make-up work is allowed include:

- School Sponsored absences that are supervised by the school such as field trips,athletic events, or other necessary activities.

- In School Suspension

- Out of school suspension

Make-up Work:
For each excused absence, students will be allowed one day plus the number of days absent to turn in work or make up tests. Students will be required to meet all due dates for work if the due date was announced prior to the absence.

ATTENDANCE PROCEDURES
For absences to be excused, a parent/guardian must call within 24 hours and state the reason. Notes will only be accepted from families without phones. Absences become unexcused if there has been no contact by 3:45 PM the day following the absence. Emancipated students are also required to call.

Absences
Attendance calls are made daily for an unexcused absence. If you are marked absent by mistake, contact your teacher the next school day and have the absence corrected. Attendance is available on line through In-Touch Online . The attendance line is 445-0900 and is open 24 hours every day.

A letter will be mailed home when a student reaches 3 unexcused or a total of 8 absences, excused or unexcused, in a class in a semester. At 15 absences, the letter will notify the student of loss of credit and explain the appeal procedures.

Fifteen absences, excused or unexcused, will result in the loss of credit, a no mark (NM) for that class for the current semester. For purposes of eligibility, NM will count as an F. Students receiving an F at the time of the loss of credit will receive an F on their transcript. A student or parent/guardian may appeal. Students under 16 years of age will be referred to the Yavapai County Attorney. Students are still required to attend class after losing credit, pending the outcome of the appeal, or face disciplinary consequences. Exceptions to the attendance procedures are at the discretion of the administration.

Appeal Procedure
A written request for an appeal, including rationale justifying the absences may be turned in to the attendance secretary. Appeal requests received by 4:00 pm on Friday will be scheduled for the next Thursday. Students are allowed one (1) appeal per semester.

Step 1 – Pick up an appeal packet in the Attendance Office. A hearing will be scheduled no later than five (5) school days after the completed appeal packet is received. The committee is composed of the student's counselor, three to five teachers, and one administrator. A decision to grant or deny the appeal will be made on the day of the appeal.

Step 2 – If the student or parent/guardian is not satisfied with the decision, they may appeal to the principal within five (5) school days of the Attendance Committee’s decision. A hearing will be scheduled with the principal within five (5) school days of the request. The decision of the principal is final.

Students entering Prescott High School after the first day of school, who have not been enrolled in another school, will have those days added into their 14 days. Prescott High School uses a “Carnegie” unit, which equates to 180 hours of class time for one credit. Students not able to qualify for a “Carnegie” unit will be enrolled in classes on a No Mark basis that does not allow credit to be earned.