School Attendance Policies

Purpose  
The Atkinson County School System affirms that regular school attendance is essential to academic achievement, student well-being, and long-term success. The District recognizes that barriers to attendance may exist, including health concerns, family hardship, transportation challenges, academic difficulties, or other adverse circumstances. The District’s approach to attendance enforcement is not intended to be punitive in nature. Rather, the District is committed to partnering with families to identify and remove barriers that interfere with consistent school attendance. Through early intervention, communication, and connection to appropriate school and community resources, the District seeks to promote student engagement and academic success. Judicial proceedings shall be initiated only after statutory thresholds are met and documented intervention efforts have failed to resolve attendance concerns.

Georgia Compulsory Attendance Law 20-2-690

Georgia law requires that all children between the ages of six (6) and sixteen (16) attend school unless they have a lawful reason to be absent. In addition, students under the age of six (6) who have been on roll for twenty (20) or more days fall under the provision of the Georgia Mandatory Attendance Law 20-2-150(c). State policy defines the school year as 180 attendance days or 900 hours of instruction.


Statutory Notification Requirements
In accordance with O.C.G.A. § 20-2-690.1 the following procedures will be followed:

  • Each absence: Guardian is notified of each absence via Infinite Campus using guardian-provided contact number.

  • Three days:  School social worker notifies guardian in writing with state law attached. Notification is documented in iCampus.

  • Five days: School social worker notifies guardian in writing with state law attached. Notification is documented in iCampus.

  • 10 days: Home visit with school social worker and school resource officer with attendance summary, state law, and school policy. Obtain a signed attendance agreement.  Notification is documented in iCampus.

Judicial Referral Process

Once all procedures specified above according to the law and school system are satisfied, a court referral will be made by the school resource officer. Truancy charges may be combined with a report to the Department of Family and Children's Services by the school social worker if there is evidence of additional maltreatment in combination with educational neglect. 

Once the court referral is made, guardians will be notified of a pre-warrant hearing, which they will be required to attend. If the guardian does not comply with the order of the judge and unexcused absences continue following this hearing, the guardian can be fined up to $100.00 and serve 30 days in jail. This is the decision of the judge. If the guardian fails to attend the hearing, a bench warrant will be issued. After the judge issues a bench warrant, a bond hearing will be held on that warrant. The warrant will be moved to Superior/Juvenile Court.

Atkinson County School System’s Attendance Policy

It is the position of the Atkinson County School System Board of Education that every school day is important and that students should only be absent for extraordinary and legitimate reasons. Consistent attendance supports academic success and strengthens school climate.

Absences will be classified as excused or unexcused. School officials will determine whether an absence is excused or unexcused based on the following requirements specified below.

Types of Excused Absences

Excused Absence

An excused (iCampus code: EX) absence that permits students to make up missed assignments. Requires written documentation from a guardian or medical professional rendering treatment to the student. A maximum of five (5) guardian notes will be accepted per school year.

Acceptable Excused Absences
Absences may be excused for the following reasons:

A. Personal Illness

When attendance would endanger the student’s health or the health of others. Verification is required from a medical professional or a guardian. Guardian notes are limited to five (5) per school year.

B. Death or Serious Illness 

Verified by a guardian via note, obituary, funeral program or other written documentation

C. Recognized Religious Holidays

When observed by the student’s faith. Verification from a guardian and/or church official is required. Advance notice should be provided to school administration.

D. Legal or Court Appearance

When mandated by order of a government agency, including pre-induction physical examinations for service in the armed forces.

E. Hazardous Conditions

When conditions render attendance impossible or hazardous to student health or safety.

F. Voting

When a student is registering to vote or voting in a public election (limited to one school day).

G. Administrative Approval

Verified by the principal. A written request must be submitted prior to the absence for administrative approval to be granted.

H. Military Deployment Leave

A student whose legal guardian is serving in the armed forces of the United States or the National Guard and has been called to active duty or is on leave from overseas deployment to a combat or combat-support posting shall be granted excused absences, not to exceed five (5) school days per school year, to visit with the guardian prior to deployment or redeployment.

Medically Excused Absence

A medically excused (iCampus code: MED) absence that permits students to make up missed assignments. Documentation must be from a medical professional rendering treatment to the student.

Code 3 Absence
A Code 3 (iCampus code: C3) absence is a school-approved activity or visitation that permits students to be absent while remaining in good academic standing. C3 absences are considered excused, and students will be permitted to make up missed assignments. The following conditions apply:

  • The student must be passing all classes at the time of the request.

  • Attendance eligibility requirements outlined in the district’s C3 field trip guidelines must be met.

  • Students must travel to and from school-sponsored events with the supervising teacher, coach, or approved school personnel.

  • Seniors may be granted up to two (2) excused days per school year for approved college, technical school, or military visitations. A completed college/technical school/military visitation form must be submitted in accordance with guidelines provided by ACHS School Counselor.

Excuse Submission Process

  1. Guardian or medical professional responsible for rendering treatment to the student may submit an excuse that includes the following information: student’s name, date, dates of absences, and the reason for being absent. Students are allowed up to five (5) notes from guardians per school year.

  2. Present the written excuse to the registrar within three (3) days of the student's return to school.

  1. If excuses are not presented within five (5) days of the absence, the absence will be ruled as unexcused by default.

  2. Students should make plans to complete make-up work due to absence(s). Grades will reflect absence(s) if work is not made up within the appropriate number of days. Students are expected to make arrangements regarding make-up work with each class teacher the day they return to class.

  3. Students are allowed three (3) days to make up work for excused absences. After three (3) days, the grade for missing assignments may be entered as a zero (0).