Attendance Information

• When a student will be absent, notification should be provided to the school before or at the start of the school day, when possible.
• To excuse an absence, written or electronic communication citing the reason(s) for the absence must be provided to the school no more than five school days following the date of the absence. 

How to report an absence

• Absences can be reported in ParentVUE the same day of the absence.
• When you login, choose the student that is or will be absent.
• Click " Report Absence” , then enter the information in the pop-up screen.
• Make sure you click on the correct date(s) and always provide a reason for the absence(s).

• Learn more about the ParentVUE Program

• Email the office at [email protected]

• Call the front office at 703-754-7181

• Students who are not in their classroom by 8:45 a.m. will be marked tardy.
• A student's tardy will be recorded as excused or unexcused based on whether the reason for the late arrival meets the excused or unexcused absence criteria outlined in the PWCS Attendance Guidelines.

How to report an excused tardy

•  Email the office at [email protected]

• Call the front office at 703-754-7181

• No early dismissal of students will be allowed after 3:00 p.m.
• Prior notification of an early pick up will help the teacher have your student ready to be picked up early. Please do not arrive later than 3pm to pick up your child unless you've already notified the office of an extenuating circumstance that requires you to do so. 

Dismissal Routine Change

Same day notification of a dismissal change will need to be made no later than 30 MINUTES before dismissal and must be made in writing. This can be done by emailing the front office using the address listed above. 

More Important Information

Did you know attendance is the number one predictor of both dropout and graduation rates. Establishing the habit of daily attendance is more important than ever and helps to reduce stress, strengthen connections with friends and teachers, and support academic success.

Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) follows the provisions of Virginia law (Code of Virginia § 22.1-254) regarding compulsory attendance for all school-aged students.

PWCS uses an attendance management system that carefully tracks attendance and ensures that parents are notified in a timely and consistent manner when students are absent from school.

• Truancy status when students accrue three unexcused absences
• Excessive excused absences
• Chronic absentee status occurs when students are absent 10% of instructional days based on where we are in the school year.

Revisions have been made to Regulation 724-1- Attendance, Absences, Excuses, and Tardies. 

• Schools will require a doctor’s note when a student misses three consecutive days or a total of 10 days during the school year due to illness.
• Family trips or absences related to travel are unexcused absences.
• Students are considered chronically absent if they miss 10% or more school days in a school year. Both excused and unexcused absences count towards chronic absenteeism.
• Students are expected to make up all missed assignments and assessments for both excused and unexcused absences.
• Military-connected students may have up to five days of excused absences to visit a parent/guardian called to active duty or on leave from active duty.

Parents should notify the school before, or at the start of, the school day when their child will be absent. Parents must send written or electronic communication citing the reason(s) for the absence to the school no more than five school days following the date of the absence.

We understand that some absences are unavoidable, however we encourage parents and guardians to schedule appointments on scheduled days off for students throughout the school year. View the 2025-26 school calendar webpage to view days off for students.

We are committed to creating a safe, healthy, and supportive learning environment and understand there are times when your child may need to stay home due to illness or other unavoidable circumstances. If you need assistance or resources to have a successful school year, please contact us at 703-754-7181.  We value your partnership and look forward to a successful school year together!