Student Attendance

Yes, from age 6 until age 17, a child living in Chicago must be enrolled and attend school. Further, once a child enrolls - even if they are younger than 6 or older than 17 - he/she must attend school regularly.

There are three ways to report absences, you can either:

1. Send a letter or note signed by the child’s parent/guardian explaining the reason for the absence.
2. Make a direct phone call to the school to speak with someone, or leave a voicemail. In the call or message, you must say the date of the absence, the reason for the absence, the absent student’s name, your name, and your relationship to the student. 
3. Use the district's e-absence feature via Aspen’s Parent Portal

Families should maintain that going to school is important and communicate with the school about their child's anxiety. The school will work with the family to create a solution. Letting a child stay home without working together creates a bigger problem for the student.

Yes. The submitted reason, if deemed “excused”, allows your son/daughter to avoid being marked “unexcused”; however, it does still count as an absence.

A student being present in school for 300 instructional minutes garners a full day of attendance. Being present for fewer than 300 minutes of instruction but more than 150 minutes is considered a half-day absence; fewer than 150 minutes of instruction is regarded as a full-day absence.

Yes. For information and support with enrollment, transportation, or other barriers to school attendance, please contact your school's STLS Liaison or Advocate.