Mandatory School Attendance for Middle School and

High School Students

Truancy

Based on Georgia Law (20-2-690.1) and State Board of Education Rule (JB), any child between the ages of 6 and 16 who during the school calendar year has more than five days of unexcused absences from school will be considered truant.

Penalties

The legal penalties and consequences for truancy include referral of parents, guardians, or custodians to State Court and referral of juveniles to Juvenile Court for prosecution.

Any parent, guardian, or other person residing in this state who has control or charge of a child or children and who violates the Mandatory Attendance Code section of Georgia law, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be subject to a fine of not less than $25.00 and not greater than $100.00, imprisonment not to exceed 30 days, community service, or any combination of such penalties per absence. Each day’s absence from school is a violation of this provision and shall constitute a separate offense.

If convicted of truancy, juveniles may face severe penalties under the Juvenile Code of the State of Georgia.

Tardies and Early Checkouts

Unexcused tardies to school or unexcused early checkouts from school are detrimental to the academic success of individual students and classmates.  Students should arrive at school on time and should remain in school for the complete school day. Acceptable excuses for tardies to school or early checkouts are the same as excused reasons for full-day absences.   Excessive unexcused tardies and early checkouts will be referred to the Henry County Courts for consideration for prosecution.

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