Herndon High School uses a computerized attendance system, called SASI, by which teachers report absences and tardies for each period of the school day. Teachers receive daily attendance updates regarding students' absences and tardies - excused, unexcused, and pending.

Telephone Numbers to Call:

9th grade 810-2283
10th grade 810-2284
11th grade 810-2281
12th grade 810-2282


Excused Absences

When a student is absent, it is the responsibility of the parent to call the attendance office that day to give the reason for the absence. If a phone call is not made on the day of the absence, the parent must call the next day or have the student bring a parent note to the grade level office by 7:30 a.m. the next day. Absences not called in within two days will automatically change to unexcused. Parents may request a print-out of their child's attendance by simply calling the grade level office. For clarification, excused absences are limited to the following:

• illness of student
• death in the family
• medical or dental appointment (requires note from doctor/dentist upon student's return.)
• observance of religious holidays
• approved pre-arranged absence
• court appearance
• field trip
• other reasons accepted by the principal

Students who are seen on school grounds on the day of an excused absence will have their absence changed to unexcused. If a student must be on school grounds the day of an excused absence, the student should call the grade level office before coming to campus and check in there immediately upon arrival.

Pre-Arranged Absences

If an absence is planned, such as trips, college visits, religious holidays, etc., it must be pre-arranged with the grade level office. The student must bring a note, stating the date and reason for the absence, to the grade level office one week prior to the absence stating the reason for absence and length of absence. The student will be given a form for all teachers to sign. Parents are to read the teachers' comments and also sign the form. The completed form must be returned to the grade level office prior to the date of the absence. Both full-day and partial-day absences should be pre-arranged.

Check-In

Students arriving at school anytime after 7:50 a.m. must check in through the grade level office immediately upon arriving, (this includes break and lunch periods) to receive a check-in pass. Students must bring a note, signed by the parent/guardian, stating the student's full name, reason for tardiness, probable time of arrival and date. Car trouble, missed bus, pupil placement transportation problems, and oversleeping are not excused. Students who do not check in will not be excused for the classes they missed.

Check-Out

Students are not to leave the school grounds for any reason during the school day, (this includes break and lunch periods,) without a check-out pass. The student should bring a note, signed by the parent/guardian, to the grade level office before school. Due to limited staff, passes cannot be delivered to classrooms. The note should include: student’s name, date, time for check-out, and reason, and a daytime phone number where the parent/guardian can be reached.  The student then shows the pass to the teacher when it’s time to leave and proceeds to the front of the school to meet the parent. Students who do not check out will not be excused for the classes they missed. Students must leave school grounds within five minutes of being dismissed early. Students leaving early who do not check out through the grade level office will be charged with an unexcused absence .

Unexcused Absences/Tardies

Herndon High School follows the FCPS attendance policy, which states that a student must fail for a quarter if he/she accrues three or more unexcused absences in a subject area during the quarter. The parents are to be notified of the first and all succeeding unexcused absences. A student's parent will receive a call or letter from individual teachers when a student accumulates three or more tardies. Three unexcused tardies in the same subject constitute one unexcused absence, so nine tardies constitute three unexcused absences or a failing grade for the quarter.

In July 1999, legislation was enacted which requires that students who accumulate five or more unexcused absences be referred to school attendance officers. The attendance officer will develop individual plans with input from school staff, parents, and students. If the pattern of nonattendance continues, the attendance officer will petition the Court. The Court will order appropriate interventions and consequences for truancy.

Make-up Work

For excused absences, make-up work receives credit; for unexcused absences, make-up work receives no credit. Any exception to this practice shall require the principal's approval. Make up work is encouraged, whether credit is received or not, so that the student will benefit from future instruction. It is the student's responsibility to contact the teacher of each class missed to arrange make-up work the first day back in school, regardless of red or black days. If you are absent one day, work must be made up in one day; if you are absent two days, work must be made up in two days, and so on up to ten days. For absences exceeding ten days, work must be made up in ten days. Exceptions to this rule may be made by each individual teacher.