Appendix B – Attendance Policy

Socrates Preparatory School strives to create a student-centered environment of exploration and education through a combination of traditional Socratic teaching with modern technology-based instructional methods. The curriculum at Socrates Preparatory School is infused with hands-on projects, discussions, group work, and field trips; hence, failure to adequately participate hinders the experiential learning process. While it is important that students complete any missed assignments, it is also important to realize that excessive absenteeism or tardiness lessens student participation and negatively impacts the educational experience both for the absent student and for their classmates.

It is essential that parents and students understand and abide by the Attendance Policy of Socrates Preparatory School in order to minimize the negative impact of absenteeism and tardiness on the learning process. It is imperative that parents closely monitor the status of student absences.

It is at the discretion of the principal to determine if an absence is excused or unexcused. Upon returning to school after any absence, the student must present a written explanation to the office within a timely manner.

Socrates Preparatory School abides by the following Florida State law regarding student attendance and instructional hours:
6A-1.09512 Equivalent Minimum School Term for Compulsory Attendance Purposes.
Any child of compulsory school attendance age, who is enrolled in a non-public school pursuant to section 1002.42, F.S., shall be deemed to be in compliance with the compulsory attendance requirements of section 1003.21(1)(a), F.S., provided the child maintains regular attendance during the entire school term of either:
(1) One hundred eighty (180) actual school days determined as prescribed by section 1011.60(2), F.S., or
(2) A minimum of one hundred seventy (170) actual school days and the hourly equivalent of one hundred eighty (180) actual school days, determined as prescribed below:
(a) Kindergarten: Five hundred forty (540) net instructional hours.
(b) Grades 1-3: Seven hundred twenty (720) net instructional hours.
© Grades 4-12: Nine hundred (900) net instructional hours.
Rulemaking Authority 1001.02, 1011.60(2) FS. Law Implemented 1002.42, 1003.21, 1011.60 FS. History–New 4-21-80, Formerly 6A-1.9512.