Code of Conduct states:

Regular school attendance contributes to academic achievement and facilitates the student’s ability to succeed. Alabama law requires all children between the ages of six (6) and seventeen (17) to attend school. The law further provides that a parent, guardian, or other person having control or charge of a school-aged child is responsible for that child’s regular attendance and proper conduct. Parents and guardians are responsible for enrolling their children in school and ensuring that the children attend school and obey behavior policies adopted by the board.  Parents failing to enroll students and ensure their proper behavior and attendance are subject to fines and imprisonment under state law.  (Code of Alabama 1975 §16-28-12, §, 16-28-40). 

For an absence to be “excused”, parents/guardians must present to the school principal or designee a written explanation of a student’s absence within three (3) days of the absence. Failure to present a written explanation (within the “Excused Absences” guidelines, below) will cause the absence to be recorded as unexcused.  Absences for official school events are considered excused. 

Unexcused absences are those for which no acceptable written explanation is provided by the parent/guardian, or for reasons other than those noted above in “Excused Absences” section or those after (10) days per year for which no physician or court documentation is provided.  Schoolwork missed due to unexcused absences may not be made up.

The St. Clair County School System participates in cooperation with the St. Clair County District Attorney and the St. Clair County Juvenile Court in the Early Warning Program for Attendance Intervention and the Early Warning Program for Behavior Intervention to assist families in achieving good school attendance and students in maintaining good conduct. 

1st Referral – After the fifth unexcused absence OR 2nd Class 3 Suspension

2nd Referral – After the 7th unexcused absence OR 3rd Class 3 Suspension

3rd Referral – 10 Unexcused Absences OR 4th Class 3 Suspension