As we prepare for another school year, we want to begin with one shared expectation: students should be in school, on time, and in every class, every day.

Attendance is one of the strongest predictors of academic success, graduation, and future opportunities. Every lesson, discussion, and relationship helps students move closer to their goals and none of it can be fully replaced when students are absent.

Our commitment this year is simple: support students early, communicate consistently with families, and work together to make attendance a priority. 

As young adults, students are accountable for their choices and their commitment to attending school every day. Families/caregivers and school staff are committed to supporting, reinforcing, and holding students accountable for strong attendance so that every student has the opportunity to succeed.

Students should attend school every day unless they are genuinely sick or have another excused reason to be absent. Missing just two days per month can make a student chronically absent and significantly increase the risk of falling behind or repeating a grade level. 

Families/Caregivers can help by:

• Establishing consistent morning routines.
• Scheduling appointments outside of school whenever possible.
• Reporting absences promptly
• Avoiding vacations during the school year.

To report an absence, contact the Attendance Office at fhsattendance@framingham.k12.ma.us.

School begins at 7:25 AM. Students go directly into their first class.

Arriving on time helps students start the day prepared, connected, and ready to learn. A late arrival doesn't just affect one morning, but it can quickly become a habit that impacts attendance, grades, and success.

Breakfast begins at 6:55am. We encourage students to start their day strong.

Coming to school is only part of the expectation. Students are expected to attend every scheduled class throughout the day and be on time to class.

Skipping class or arriving significantly late means missing valuable instruction and will affect course grades negatively. Students who accumulate multiple class cuts in a term may earn an FA (Failure Due to Attendance), even if they are passing the course academically.

Continued class skipping and chronic tardiness will result in additional consequences. Administrative and teacher-assigned detentions/consequences take precedence over extracurricular activities (club, sports, etc.).

Improving attendance takes all of us working together.

Students are responsible for attending school, arriving on time, communicating with teachers after absences, and asking for help when challenges arise.

Families/Caregivers play an essential role by encouraging consistent attendance, supporting positive routines & expectations, communicating with the school, and making school a daily priority.

Framingham High School is committed to monitoring attendance, reaching out early when concerns arise, providing support, and helping students overcome barriers to being in school.

You can monitor attendance LIVE by logging into Aspen/X2 on a daily basis. When you log into Aspen, you will see a summary of daily and class attendance for your student.

If attendance becomes difficult, we encourage students and families to reach out early. Our teachers, counselors, social workers, family liaisons, and administrators are here to partner with you before small challenges become larger ones.

Chronic absenteeism is generally defined as missing 10% or more of the school year for any reason, including both excused and unexcused absences. This is equivalent to 18 day or more full day absences.

When you miss one day of school, you miss 5 classes that day. So missing 18 days is actually equivalent to missing 90 class periods.

Data from more than 15,000 course records from last school year shows a clear trend: as the number of class absences increases, average final grades decrease. Every class period missed represents lost learning time and can make it more difficult for students to stay on track.

🔴 = Students who had 45 class absences earned an average final grade of 55% in that course

Above the GREEN line are passing grades.

Below the GREEN line are failing grades that result in no credit for the course.

The trend continues in a negative direction, with students who accumulate 50+ absences experiencing a significant decline in average course grades.

Coaches and club advisors receive a summary of your attendance every day. They will be reviewing attendance and it may impact your ability to participate in club meetings/activities, team practice or even games/meets.

Consistent attendance is essential for participation and eligibility in extracurricular activities.

Being present at school is about more than completing assignments. It helps students build relationships, participate in the school community, and feel connected to their teachers and peers. When students miss too much school, they can become disconnected from learning and the people who support their success.

This year, let's work together to build strong attendance habits from the very first day of school.

Our expectation is simple:

• Be here.
• Be on time.
• Be in every class.
• Be accountable.
• Ask for help when you need it.

When students are present, they learn more, build stronger relationships, and create more opportunities for their future.

Every day matters. Every class matters. Every student matters.