Attendance
Regular attendance is one of the biggest keys to student success — and it adds up faster than most families realize. Missing just two days a month can mean losing over a month of instruction by the end of the school year. For middle schoolers especially, those missed days aren't just about academics. This is a critical stage where students build the skills, confidence, and relationships that carry them into high school and beyond. Academics are important, but so are the social aspects of school.
When students are away from the classroom, they miss more than lessons — they miss group projects, class discussions, and the everyday social moments that help them develop friendships, teamwork, and a sense of belonging. Consistent attendance helps students stay connected to their peers, build stronger study habits, and keep pace with a curriculum that builds on itself day after day.
We know that occasional absences happen — illness, appointments, family circumstances. But when absences become frequent, even for "just a day here and there," the gaps can be hard to close. Showing up consistently is one of the simplest and most powerful things a family can do to support a student's growth, learning, and overall middle school experience.
Let's work together to help every student show up, stay engaged, and thrive.
Pay Attention to Attendance Handout for Families
*Under the LCPS Attendance Policy, letters will be sent home when a student accumulates 10 absences (combination of verified and unverified)
Students aged 6-18 are required by state law to attend school, absent certain specific exceptions. The District takes student attendance seriously and seeks to improve student attendance through intervention, supports and family coordination. Excessive absences and/or tardies by students under the age of eighteen (18) may result in referral to the county attendance officer. Students who accumulate ten (10)or more unverified (unexcused) absences in a school year may be referred to truancy.
