Attendance Update for Families
Every Minute Counts at Orrville High School
Ohio's school attendance laws have changed under House Bill 96, and Orrville High School is committed to partnering with families to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed. Attendance is one of the strongest predictors of academic achievement, and even small amounts of missed instructional time can have a significant impact.
What's New?
Attendance is tracked by hours—not days. At the high school level, attendance is recorded each class period, meaning:
Arriving late
Leaving early for appointments
Missing a single class period
all count toward a student's total missed instructional hours.
In addition, Ohio now defines Chronic Absenteeism as missing 10% or more of the school year for any reason, including excused, unexcused, and medical absences. This is roughly equivalent to missing just two days per month.
What Happens If My Student Misses School?
At 5% Missed Hours
Families will receive an Early Warning Letter. This notification is designed to help us work together before attendance begins affecting academic performance.
At 10% Missed Hours (Chronically Absent)
The school will schedule a collaborative meeting with the student and family to develop a plan for improving attendance and supporting student success.
Habitual Truancy (Unexcused Absences Only)
Ohio law requires schools to intervene when a student accumulates:
30 consecutive unexcused hours
42 unexcused hours in one month, or
72 unexcused hours during the school year
These situations require a formal attendance intervention process and may ultimately result in juvenile court involvement if attendance does not improve.
How Families Can Help
You play a vital role in your student's success. Here are three simple ways to stay ahead:
Monitor ProgressBook regularly to review attendance and grades.
Submit absence notes promptly. Parent and doctor notes should be turned in to the attendance office within 48 hours of your student's return to school.
Communicate early. If your student is experiencing attendance challenges, please contact your school counselor or the main office. We're here to help.
We're Here to Partner With You
Our goal is not simply to monitor attendance—it's to ensure every student has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed. By working together, we can help students build strong attendance habits that lead to academic success and lifelong responsibility.
Questions? Please contact the Orrville High School Main Office if you have any questions regarding attendance expectations or Ohio's updated attendance requirements.