Attendance Policy
District Attendance Policy
Bright Futures Begin with Outstanding Attendance!
At Collegiate Charter School of Lowell, we believe that every school day matters. Regular attendance is one of the strongest predictors of academic success and is essential to helping students reach their full potential. Attending school every day allows students to build strong relationships, stay engaged in learning, develop positive routines, and participate fully in the school community.
Massachusetts law requires students to attend school regularly, and CCSL is committed to partnering with families to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed. While occasional absences are sometimes unavoidable, frequent absences can quickly add up and have a lasting impact on a student’s academic achievement, social development, and graduation goals.
Research consistently shows that even the most effective teachers cannot replace the valuable learning opportunities students miss when they are absent. Missing instructional time can make it more difficult for students to master grade-level standards, maintain positive peer connections, and stay on track for promotion and graduation.
What is Chronic Absenteeism?
In Massachusetts, a student is considered chronically absent when they miss 10% or more of the school days in which they are enrolled—approximately 18 days in a 180-day school year. This includes all absences, whether they are excused, unexcused, or related to disciplinary actions.
At Collegiate Charter School of Lowell, all absences accumulate toward a student’s attendance record because every absence results in missed instructional time. While documentation, such as a doctor’s note, verifies the reason for an absence, it does not remove the absence from a student’s attendance record.
Our goal is to identify attendance concerns early and partner with families to provide support before attendance begins to impact student success.
Need Assistance?
If you have questions about your child’s attendance or need support overcoming attendance barriers, please contact the Attendance Officer.
Attendance Officer
Email: Scardoso@collegiatelowell.org
Phone: 978-458-1399 Ext. 1124
We are committed to partnering with families to ensure every student attends school consistently and has the opportunity to thrive.
Together, we can make every day count at Collegiate Charter School of Lowell.
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1. Q: Why is attendance so important?
A: Regular attendance is essential for academic success. Every school day provides valuable instruction, class discussions, and learning experiences that cannot be fully recreated. Students who attend school consistently are more likely to achieve academic success, graduate on time, and develop positive lifelong habits.
2. Q: What should I do if my child will be absent?
A: Parents or guardians should notify the Front Office by phone or email. Prompt communication helps ensure accurate attendance records and student safety.
3. Is it true that missing two days of school each month can make a student chronically absent?
Yes. While missing one or two days may not seem significant, those absences add up over the course of the school year. A student who misses about two days each month will miss approximately 18 days or more in a 180-day school year. Missing that much instructional time can make it more difficult for students to keep up academically, build strong relationships with teachers and peers, and stay on track for long-term success.
4. What happens if my child has excessive absences?
The attendance officer monitors attendance closely every day and reports patterns and concerns to principals, assistant principals and guidance counselors. The families of students who have excessive absences or are on a path to becoming excessive will receive attendance letters, phone calls, meeting requests, or intervention plans. Students who exceed attendance limits outlined in the Attendance Policy will be required to participate in attendance recovery opportunities or other interventions.
5. Why is arriving to school on time important?
Being on time ensures students do not miss important instruction, classroom routines, assessments, and learning opportunities. Consistent tardiness can negatively affect academic progress and school engagement. Families are encouraged to establish daily routines that help students arrive at school on time every day.
6. Can tardies be removed?
No. Tardies are official attendance records documenting when a student arrives at school. Because arrival times are also part of the school’s safety and security procedures, tardies cannot be removed once recorded.
7. Should family vacations be taken during the school year?
Families are strongly encouraged to schedule vacations during school holidays and scheduled breaks. Vacations taken during the school year count as unexcused absences and may negatively impact a student’s academic progress.
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