Compulsory Attendance Requirements

North Dakota law mandates compulsory attendance for learners ages seven through sixteen (NDCC 15.1-20-02.1). The District recognizes the critical importance of classroom attendance and requires learners to be present for at least 90% of the academic year. Attendance is monitored through a three-tier documentation system: 

• Tier 1: Learner has missed 10% of school before the 45th school day. 
• Tier 2: Learner has missed 10% of school before the 90th school day.
• Tier 3: Learner has missed 17.5 school days at any point during the academic year. 

To comply with state law and enforce attendance expectations, the District has established the following attendance policy. 

Definitions

• Excused absence
  • An absence is considered excused if it is supported by a verbal or written explanation from a parent/guardian, teacher, or school administrator. While an excused absence confirms that the learner is accounted for, the reason provided determines whether it will count against the learner’s attendance record, with the building principal or their designee making the final determination. 
• Excused absences That Do Not Impact Attendance Records
  • The following excused absences will not count toward the total number of days absent: 
    • Participation in school-sponsored activities
    • Medical appointments with a signed doctor’s note or proof of appointment 
    • A school nurse’s determination that the learner must be sent home (per district health guidelines)
    • Suspensions
    • Court appearances when subpoenaed
•    Excused Absences That Impact Attendance Records  
  • The following excused absences will count toward determining a compulsory attendance violation: 
    • Appointments without a doctor’s note or supporting documentation
    • Family vacations or extended trips 
    • Being called out of school for reasons that do not align with district guidance as listed above. 
•   Unexcused Absences 
  • An absence is unexcused if it is not supported by the required verbal or written explanation. Unexcused absences count toward determining whether a compulsory attendance violation has occurred, with the building principal or their designee making the final determination. Learners with unexcused absences may face consequences as outlined in this policy. 
• Unexcused Absences That Impact Attendance Records 
  • The following unexcused absences will count toward determining a compulsory attendance violation: 
    • Truancy (skipping school) 
    • Oversleeping 
    • Routine errands (e.g., grocery shopping, personal errands) 
    • Car trouble, maintenance, or repairs 
    • Haircuts, salon/spa appointments 
    • Senior pictures 
    • Any undeclared or unreported absence 

Documentation Requirements

If a learner reaches Tier 3, school administration may require documentation to verify an excused absence, including but not limited to: 

1. Medical documentation from a licensed healthcare provider.
2. Court documents (summons or subpoena) 
3. An obituary for funeral leave 
4. A request for absence submitted by a teacher, coach, or extracurricular advisor 

Compulsory Attendance Violations

North Dakota law defines compulsory attendance violations (NDCC 15.1-20-02.1). Suspected violations will be investigated by the school administration. If a violation is confirmed, the District will report it to law enforcement as required by law. Additional guidance regarding eligibility, participation requirements, and expectations for students involved in extracurricular activities, including athletics, clubs, and other school-sponsored programs, can be found in FFE-AP: Extracurricular Participation Requirements or the student handbook. 

Absences & Appointments

The District expects regular and punctual attendance. Excessive absenteeism negatively impacts a learner’s education and progression through grade levels. 

Appointments During the School Day 

Learners may need to leave for appointments. To minimize learning disruptions, learners must return within a reasonable time—typically no more than one hour after the appointment ends. 

• Medical notes must indicate the appointment time and allow for reasonable travel only. 
• Failure to return promptly may result in a compulsory attendance violation. 

Excessive Absences & SARB Protocol 

Learners accumulating absences beyond 10% of the school year may face sanctions in accordance with the West Fargo Public Schools SARB (School Attendance Review Board) protocol and NDCC 15.1-20. 

Missing Work Responsibly

• Communicating with teachers regarding assignments missed due to absences 
• Completing and submitting missing work within the time allowed by their teacher 

High School Attendance & Semester Credit Policy

• Exceptions may be granted for verified medical conditions (doctor’s note required) or other special circumstances approved by the building administrator. 

Dissemination of Policy

This policy shall be published in all student handbooks. 

Adopted: 09/03/19 

Reviewed:  

Revised: 08/08/23 

               02/25/25