Please see below for important updates to Ohio law and Grandview Heights Schools Board policy regarding student attendance, effective for the 2026-2027 school year. Please review these changes as you plan ahead for the upcoming year. If challenges arise that may affect your student’s attendance, please reach out to your building administrator so we can best support you.

Ohio law uses two distinct metrics to evaluate missed school time: Chronic Absenteeism and Habitual Truancy.

1. Chronic Absenteeism (All Absences Combined)

Chronic absenteeism measures all missed time combined, including personal illness, tardies, medical appointments, planned absences, and religious days. Under Ohio law, the reason for the absence does not matter; if a student misses 10% or more of the school year, they are considered chronically absent.

• Stevenson Elementary (K-3) & Larson Middle School (Grades 4-6): Threshold is reached at 91 missed hours (approx. 15 school days).
• Larson Middle School (Grades 7-8) & Grandview Heights High School (9-12): Threshold is reached at 100 missed hours (approx. 16 school days).

Planned Absences: A Planned Absence Form must be submitted two weeks in advance. Requests may be denied if a student is at or near the 10% threshold. If a planned absence is unapproved, those hours convert to unexcused absences and count directly toward habitual truancy thresholds. Whether approved or unapproved, all planned absences count toward Chronic Absenteeism.

2. Habitual Truancy (Unexcused Absences Only)

Unlike chronic absenteeism, habitual truancy applies strictly to unexcused missed time. A student triggers this state threshold if they are unexcused for:

• 30 consecutive hours (approx. 5 school days), or
• 42 hours in one school month (approx. 7 school days), or
• 72 hours in one school year (approx. 12 school days)   

If attendance does not improve under an intervention plan, the district is required by Ohio law to file a formal truancy complaint with the Juvenile Court.

3. Family Notifications & Early Intervention

Our focus is on early support. School Board policy outlines automated notifications based on total hours missed:

• At 5% missed time (~45 hours): You will receive an early warning attendance concern letter.
• At 10% missed time: You will receive a formal chronic absenteeism letter, and an Absence Intervention Team (AIT) will be assigned to work with your family to remove learning barriers.

4. Key Attendance Allowances & Rules

• The 10% Rule for Illness: Parents may excuse up to 10% of illness via standard notice. Once a student reaches 10% of hours of absence for any reason, a certified healthcare provider's note is required within three days of return for subsequent medical absences to be excused.
• College Visits: High school students are allowed up to 3 days per year. Official admissions documentation must be submitted upon return, or the hours will count toward chronic absenteeism totals.
• Driver’s Education: High school students can be excused for up to 8 hours total per year (max 2 hours/day for 4 days) to attend a private driver’s education course. This requires a Planned Absence Form, cannot conflict with core courses, and counts toward chronic absenteeism.
• Religious Expression Days: Parents may request up to 3 days per school year by submitting a written request within 14 days of the start of the school year. These are academically excused but count toward chronic absenteeism totals. The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. Calendar of Religious Expression Days.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership in keeping our students healthy, safe, and engaged in their learning.