Attendance Information

What Are The Attendance Requirements?

In South Carolina, all children are required to attend a public or private school from age five until their 17th birthday. If a parent chooses not to send his or her child to kindergarten, a waiver must be signed. Waiver forms are available at local schools.

The school year consists of 180 days. To receive credit, students must attend at least 85 days of each 90-day semester course and at least 170 days of each 180-day year course, as well as meet all minimum requirements for each course. Students are counted present only when they are in school, on homebound instruction, or present at an activity authorized by the school principal. Absences in excess of ten may cause the student to lose credit for the year.

How Many Days Must My Child Attend School?

In accordance with the State Compulsory School Attendance Law, uniform rules for all schools have been adopted to ensure that students regularly attend school. Students are counted present only when they are in school, on homebound instruction, or present at an activity authorized by the school principal. Requirements for a standard 180-day school year follow. Regulations for 4x4 block schedules and A/B schedules are available from high schools

I. The school year consists of 180 school days. To receive credit, students must attend at least 85 days of each 90-day semester course and at least 170 days of each 180-day year course, as well as meet all minimum requirements for each course. Accrued student absences may not exceed ten (10) days during the school year. Any absence in excess of ten (10) may cause the student to lose credit for the year.

II. Because 170 days are the minimum required by the state, the first ten (10) absences may be lawful, unlawful, or a combination. All absences beginning with the eleventh (11th) must be lawful and will be excused if they fall within the following guidelines:

A. Lawful Absences

      • Personal illness* of a child verified by a statement from a physician within two (2) days of the student's return to school. Absences for CHRONIC or EXTENDED illness will be approved only when verified by a physician's statement.
      • Serious illness or death of an immediate family member verified by a statement from the parent within two (2) days of the student's return to school.
      • Absences for religious holidays when approved in advance. Such requests must be made in writing to the principal.
      • Absences for extreme hardships approved by the principal. Such approval should be prearranged when possible. *Including doctor's appointments.

B. Unlawful Absences - Any student absence, with or without the knowledge of the parent, which does not meet the conditions for a lawful absence shall be counted as unlawful and will not be excused.

C. Procedures for Makeup Work

      • Provision for make up of school work missed during excused absences shall be coordinated with the teacher(s) concerned at the earliest time possible, but should not exceed five (5) school days after the student returns to school.
      • Make up of school work missed during unexcused absences may be approved only with permission of the principal after consultation with the teacher(s) concerned. Questions regarding attendance rules should be directed to the principal of your child's school.