Regular attendance in class is vital to student success. The education act prescribes that all students of school age must attend school every day. Prolonged absences can place a student's success in jeopardy. Please refer to the section from the Ontario Education Act below.
Student Vacations
If a student is not at school because of vacation then that student and that student's parents/guardians must be aware that the responsibility to catch up on missed learning lies with the student. Absence from class can place a student's credit(s) at risk. When planning vacations please be aware of the effect that being away from class will have on the level of achievement in class.
Student Illness
If a student will be absent from school for a prolonged period of time for medical reasons please contact the school to determine what arrangements can be made to ensure that student's academic success.
Ontario Education Act
Compulsory attendance
- (1)[ ] Unless excused under this section,
(a) every person who attains the age of six years on or before the first school day in September in any year shall attend an elementary or secondary school on every school day from the first school day in September in that year until the person attains the age of 18 years; and
(b) every person who attains the age of six years after the first school day in September in any year shall attend an elementary or secondary school on every school day from the first school day in September in the next succeeding year until the last school day in June in the year in which the person attains the age of 18 years. 2006, c. 28, s. 5 (1).
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Participation in equivalent learning
(1.1)[ ] A person shall be considered to be attending school when he or she is participating in equivalent learning if the equivalent learning program, course of study or other activity and the group, organization or entity providing it have been approved under paragraph 3.0.1 of subsection 8 (1). 2006, c. 28, s. 5 (1).
When attendance excused
(2)[ ] A person is excused from attendance at school if,
(a) the person is receiving satisfactory instruction at home or elsewhere;
(b) the person is unable to attend school by reason of sickness or other unavoidable cause;
(c) transportation is not provided by a board for the person and there is no school that he or she has a right to attend situated,
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(i) within 1.6 kilometres from the person's residence measured by the nearest road if he or she has not attained the age of seven years on or before the first school day in September in the year in question, or
(ii) within 3.2 kilometres from the person's residence measured by the nearest road if he or she has attained the age of seven years but not the age of 10 years on or before the first school day in September in the year in question, or
(iii) within 4.8 kilometres from the person's residence measured by the nearest road if he or she has attained the age of 10 years on or before the first school day in September in the year in question;
(d) the person has obtained a secondary school graduation diploma or has completed a course that gives equivalent standing;
(e) the person is absent from school for the purpose of receiving instruction in music and the period of absence does not exceed one-half day in any week;
(f) the person is suspended, expelled or excluded from attendance at school under any Act or under the regulations;
(g) the person is absent on a day regarded as a holy day by the church or religious denomination to which he or she belongs; or
(h) the person is absent or excused as authorized under this Act and the regulations. 2006, c. 28, s. 5 (1).