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Attendance Requirements

Students attending MCVA must meet the following attendance criteria:

  • Students must adhere to the Madison County Schools Attendance Policy
  • Students must attend class each day (as monitored by the virtual school staff) and keep up with course assignments/pace
  • Log in to courseware daily to document attendance
  • Physical attendance when directed by virtual staff.

The school system reserves the right to set specific attendance requirements for each virtual course. The
superintendent or his/her designee is authorized to develop alternate attendance policies for virtual courses, provided that students in such programs are given notice of the attendance requirements. A student’s failure to comply with such requirements may result in administrative action including, but not limited to, probation and/or a charge of truancy.  

Truancy

If a parent/custodian does not explain in writing within three (3) days of a student’s absence, that student will be classified as truant for each and every absence. The student will also be classified as truant if the Principal (or administrative designee) determines that an absence(s) is unexcused based on the parent/custodian’s written explanation. Any absence beyond the eighth for grades 4-8 or fourth per semester for high school, shall be unexcused without a doctor’s note. Madison County Schools has a procedure in place for students with unexcused absences:

  • 1st Unexcused Absence: Truancy letter sent home (This is a form letter from the Alabama State Department of Education, not MCVA)
  • 3rd  Unexcused Absence: Parent/Guardian must meet with a school administrator and the school social worker for a pre-early warning conference
  • 7th Unexcused Absence: Violation of Compulsory Attendance notice is sent home from Madison County Schools and the district social worker will conduct a home visit to discuss attendance requirements.
  • 10th Unexcused Absence: Meeting with central office staff and the possibility of filing a complaint with the Court against the parent/guardian for truancy. 

For virtual students, it’s important to note that when a student is not in good standing, in-person lab requirements count as their attendance and failure to come to campus for the assigned time will result in unexcused absences.