Attendance Office

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"When it comes to school, students who miss school... miss out. Attendance boosts student achievement, improves the quality of your child's educational experience, and it prepares them for college, good careers, and successful adulthood.
For every day of school missed, it takes two or more days for a student to catch up. Except in the case of illness, many school absences can be avoided with a little extra effort. "
​- from AISD Attendance Office

Please refer to the school calendar and bell schedule when making appointments and planning travel. Try to plan events and travel so your child does not miss instructional time and school days. Absences for personal reasons and personal appointments are not excused absences. 


Please know we are obligated to follow the Compulsory Attendance & 90% Rule per Board Policy FEA — Attendance: Compulsory Attendance. If a student has five or more unexcused absences in a class, they will fall below the required 90% attendance and will need to make up the missed hours to receive credit for that class. This involves attending sessions outside the regular school day, such as Saturday School or four hours of tutoring with the teacher of record, to compensate for the lost instructional time. Each Saturday school will give students credit lost in one class, as long as they are no longer absent. However, this process does not remove the absences from their record; it only restores the credits. It's important to note that make-up hours are not guaranteed to be accepted if the student's attendance issues persist. In such cases, the student may be required to complete a performance log as an intervention to improve their attendance. Visit Austin ISD’s FAQ page for additional Attendance Information.

Arriving late to campus or returning from an appointment? 

  • Students should check in at the 1st floor Attendance Office to receive a pass to class.
  • A parent or doctor note should be submitted digitally or may be turned in to the 1st floor Attendance Office in room 148.

 Leaving campus early?

  • OPTION ONE: Submit an Early Dismissal Request  BY 1:00 PM THE DAY BEFORE a planned early dismissal
  • OPTION TWO: A student drops off an early dismissal note at the attendance office in the AGS wing ON THE DAY OF the early dismissal
  • OPTION THREE: A parent/guardian visits the 1st floor office in Room 148 to check-out a student in person ON THE DAY OF the early dismissal
  • NOT AN OPTION: Please do not email the attendance office as these will be not be seen in time for your student to be released and may delay your student leaving campus.

Parents should park in the short-term visitor parking on the West side of the school.

  • Enter the building on the West side of the school and present your driver's license or any official identification.
  • Go to Room 148 to complete the checkout process.
  • The office staff will have your child brought to the office for departure.

EXCUSED ABSENCE PROCESS

Following an excused absence, parents/guardians should submit  to "School Absence Note" and Documentation Submission Portal, along with any supporting documentation, within TWO days of the absence. The "School Absence Note" and documentation can also be accepted by email at austin@austinisd.org or by fax at 512-414-7254.

PLEASE NOTE: While a parent/guardian note for an illness will excuse an absence, it will still count against your student’s attendance. An illness documented with a note from a doctor’s visit will NOT count against your student’s attendance.   

ALSO IMPORTANT: Allow 3 - 4 business days for absence documentation to be inputted in the student’s attendance records. This includes home and in school suspensions, medical notes, college visits, etc. Thank you!

COLLEGE VISITS

All Juniors and Seniors are given 2 excused absence days per school year to visit a college campus. In order for your absence to be approved you must complete this process: 

  • REQUIRED: Request a letter from the college/university stating that you were visiting their campus on a specific date(s) and confirm that it includes a school official's signature. This cannot be a brochure, flyer, or an email. It MUST be a letter on school letterhead with your name and student ID written on it. 
  • Excused absences will only be honored if the student follows all directions for the college visit. 
  • Submit a scanned copy of your letter to austin@austinisd.org within 2 days of returning. Be sure to write your student ID# at the top of your letter. 

**Only Juniors and Seniors are allowed 2 full days per year for college visits. Excused absences will only be honored if the student follows all directions for the college visit.

ATTENDANCE & CREDIT RECOVERY

Students have different options to recover attendance/credit. Please direct questions about Credit Recovery options to your student’s Academy A.P. 
and include the Administrative Assistant for Assistant Principals: Maria Quick, 512-414-2505 ext. 71567