The following steps will be taken when students accrue attendance points:

Step 1: When a student accrues 21+ unexcused attendance points, the student’s parents will be notified by phone and/or letter.

Step 2: When a student accrues 30 unexcused attendance points, a parent conference maybe conducted and the student is placed on an attendance contract. When a student is placed on an attendance contract, the contract period will consist of nine consecutive weeks.

Step 3: While on an attendance contract, the student may not accumulate an additional 10 attendance points.

Step 4: If the student violates the attendance contract, a $50 refundable attendance bond must be posted with the principal. One dollar per each unexcused attendance point will be subtracted from the bond.

Step 5:  The student will withdraw from school if the total bond is liquidated within the agreed upon contract period (nine consecutive weeks).

9-12 ACTIVITY PARTICIPATION
In order to run for and hold student offices and participate in varsity sports, the student must maintain a satisfactory attendance grade. If the student earns an attendance grade of D+ or below in either quarter of the semester, s/he may not run for office, and if holding an office, must resign. Varsity participation will be curtailed.

9-12 COURSE WORK MAKE UP/LOSS OF ACADEMIC CREDIT

The student is responsible for all course work missed while absent with or without excuse. When a student is absent, with or without excuse, from 15% of the total class periods for the quarter or semester, the student automatically fails the class. When extenuating circumstances merit special consideration, the student and parents may submit a request to the Academic Standards Committee to receive full academic credit for the class.

MAKING UP FAILED COURSES
San Diego Academy will accept a maximum of ten (10) transfer credits to replace failing grades earned at SDA from any accredited institution. A maximum of five (5) of these transfer credits will be accepted in any one discipline. Students who require make up of credits beyond this ten credit limit will only be allowed to transfer credit from the Griggs International Academy (formerly Home Study International) or repeat the class at the academy.

OFF CAMPUS CLASSES
Students may not take core classes outside SDA, but they may take courses not offered at San Diego Academy for enrichment or elective credit. Students who plan to take courses off campus must get a petition from the Registrar’s Office, turn the petition in for approval, and be sure to have transcriptions sent to SDA upon the successful completion of coursework at a local high school, Griggs International Academy, or the local junior college. 

ATTENDANCE DEFINITIONS

tardy: A tardy is unexcused by definition. Staff members who detain a student will issue a pass.  If a parent causes a tardy, the parent should write a note of explanation. Such notes will be considered and may affect the attendance grade. Parent notes will be accepted only for first period tardies.

Absence: There are three types of absences defined as follows:

Excused absence: California law provides four types of excused absences (CAC Title V sec. 420). No penalty will attach to these four absences. They are 1) illness, 2) quarantine, 3) medical/dental/optometrical services, and 4) the funeral of a student’s immediate family member.

Unexcused absence with parental permission: There are situations when a student is absent with parental approval. The parent/student must obtain a prearranged absence form. Upon proper verification, such absences will be permitted and incur no points, but such absences may affect the classroom grade.

Unexcused absence: Those absences not satisfying the requirements listed above are considered unexcused absences. The school has the final decision in classifying an absence. Entering a class more than fifteen minutes late without a pass may be counted as an absence.

PERFECT ATTENDANCE

Perfect attendance is defined as having no absences or tardies. The perfect attendance reward is reserved for students who are at school on time, all day, every day. Students who leave campus for any reason other than a school-sponsored activity no longer have perfect attendance even if they return later in the day. K–8 students may receive a certificate for Outstanding Achievement in attendance with one infraction.

PREARRANGED ABSENCES
It may sometimes be necessary and desirable for a student to be absent from school for the purpose of educational travel or urgent family matters. The attendance office may approve an arranged absence in such cases. When absences are pre-planned, a “Pre-Arranged Absence” form may be obtained from the office for this purpose. The arrangements must be completed at least three school days prior to the absence. All assigned course work to be missed during the absence must be completed or arranged for prior to the absence. The student is also responsible for all course work required during the absence. Requests for prearranged absences should be presented in writing to the Registrar. The approval of a prearranged absence is not complete without the permission of the student’s teachers. The teacher may withhold approval if s/he believes the student’s academic standing may be adversely affected by the absence.

SCHOOL DAY
A warning bell rings at 7:45 AM, and chapel begin promptly at 7:55 AM. for students in grade 9-12. Students entering chapel after the bell has rung at 7:55 AM are tardy. 

School is in session from 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM for grades K–2 and 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM for grades 3–6, and from 7:55-3:15 PM for grades 7-12. Friday dismissal is 1:00 PM for grades K–6 and 1:20 PM for grades 7–12.

TARDINESS
Any student entering a class after the tardy bell has sounded is marked tardy. Entering a class more than fifteen minutes late without a pass may be counted as an absence. We encourage our students to be on time.