Student Handbook – Academic Affairs
Academic Affairs Policy and Procedures
I. Attendance
Class attendance is an essential component of academic success. It is mandatory at the Indiana Academy as required by state law. Students are required to attend class and be on time unless excused by the school nurse or the Director of Academic Affairs or designee. Because of the demanding class expectations and time requirements, parents/guardians are encouraged to not request their son or daughter be excused from class unless an exceptional circumstance exists.
A. Unexcused Absences
It is the policy of the Indiana Academy that any absence from class is unexcused, except for illness, death in the family, college visits, or school related activities. Going home early before a break, family events like vacations, reunions, etc. do not qualify. We recognize there can be circumstances where exceptions are appropriate. We welcome conversations with students and/or parents/guardians in this regard.
Parents/guardians picking up students and checking them out through the front desk or keeping the student home after a break or weekend also need to notify the attendance office before the student misses classes, otherwise the absences may be unexcused (this does not apply to pre-arranged absences).
Students who are absent unexcused from class (two or more each semester) are subject to detention during non-class hours, restrictions, suspension, removal from class, or other consequences deemed appropriate by the Director of Academic Affairs or designee. Classes that meet for consecutive periods of more than 50 minutes at a time will be subject to greater penalties. Parents/guardians are notified of all unexcused absences.
When a student is absent from a class, the instructor reports the student absence to the Faculty Attendance Coordinator in the Office of Academic Affairs. Unless the absence has been previously excused, it is considered unexcused and the student receives notification via e-mail. If the student believes this notice to be in error, it is their responsibility to discuss it with the instructor. If the instructor changes the status of the absence, the student is to return the “Notice of Unexcused Absence” form, signed by the instructor, to the attendance office by 4:00 p.m. the following school day.
B. Tardies
Being on time to class is an important part of the Academy Code of Conduct – “individual respect for the community.” Students who arrive after the beginning of class disrupt the learning of others and miss part of the instruction. Students who are late are marked tardy with the number of minutes late. Students who are tardy an excessive number of times (four or more each semester) are subject to detention during non-class hours, restrictions, suspension, removal from class, or other consequences deemed appropriate by the Director of Academic Affairs or designee.
When a student is tardy to a class, the instructor reports the student tardy to the Faculty Attendance Coordinator in the Office of Academic Affairs. Unless the tardy has been previously excused, it is considered unexcused and the student receives notification via e-mail. If the student believes this notice to be in error, it is their responsibility to discuss it with the instructor. If the instructor changes the status of the tardy, the student is to return the “Notice of Unexcused Tardy” form, signed by the instructor, to the attendance office by 4:00 p.m. the following school day.
C. Missed Appointments
There will be penalties assigned for missing appointments with administration, faculty, or staff.
D. Excused Absences
- Illness
If a student is ill, they must report to the school nurse no later than 7:45 a.m. If the nurse is not available, the student must report to the staff person at the front desk of Wagoner Hall in the same time frame. If there is a medical emergency, the student must contact the Office of Residential and Student Affairs immediately. If a student is sick at home, only the parent/guardian may request an excused absence. In these instances, the parent/guardian should call the Faculty Attendance Coordinator. If a student misses more than three (3) consecutive days of classes due to illness at home, a physician’s release to return to the Academy is required. This release must be filed with the school nurse.
If a student feels unable to attend class for non-medical reasons related to emotional and psychological concerns, the student must report to the Office of Mental Health and Support Services to discuss their request. This request should be made before the first missed class period. If no one in the Office of Mental Health and Support Services is available, the student is expected to report to the school nurse.
When a student has accumulated more than five excused absences due to illness, without extenuating circumstances, the student may be referred to the Study Team. - Pre-arranged Absences
When a student needs to be absent from a class for an excusable reason, a pre-arranged absence form must be submitted. Examples of pre-arranged absences are a field trip, medical appointment, college visit, sporting event, interscholastic events, etc. This form should be submitted to the Office of Academic Affairs five days prior to the absence. If the pre-arranged absence is not turned in five days prior to absence the student will be subject to penalties. If an exception to the time requirement is needed, the student must talk with the Director of Academic Affairs or designee.
Within 24 hours of a student’s return from a doctor appointment or college visit, it is required that they bring to the Office of Academic Affairs verification from the doctor or Office of Admissions of that institution as to the date and time of the visit.
E. Makeup Work
Each faculty member includes in the course syllabus a policy statement on make-up work for absences of any kind. Students are expected to make up any work missed during an excused absence. Instructors’ policies on absences of any other kind must conform to Academy policies and are subject to approval by the Director of Academic Affairs.
F. Absences from Class
Due to the intense, rigorous nature of Indiana Academy classes it is important that students be present during all class meetings. If a student’s total number of absences (both excused and unexcused) reaches at least 20 percent of the number of scheduled class meetings during a semester, the student’s case may be reviewed for possible submission to the Intervention and Retention Committee. The Intervention and Retention Committee may recommend removing the student from the class, dismissal from the Academy, probationary conditions, or other actions most appropriate to the particular case.