Attendance Matters & Makes a Difference!
2026–2027 GVADC Attendance Policy
Colorado law requires children ages 6–17 to attend school, and families are legally responsible for ensuring regular attendance. GVADC students and families share responsibility for arriving on time and ready to learn.
Regular, on-time attendance is essential to student learning and success. Missing just two days each month can add up to chronic absenteeism and make it harder for students to keep up academically, build strong relationships, and feel connected to school. Tardiness also affects the entire class when instruction must be paused to help students catch up.
Attendance matters at every stage.
- Preschool and elementary school: Builds strong routines and supports reading and academic development.
- Middle school: Prevents disengagement and helps students remain on track.
Key Attendance Terms
- Good attendance standing: No unexcused absences and no more than nine excused absences during the school year
- Perfect attendance: No absences, tardies, or early departures
- Truancy: Unexcused absence
- Habitually Truant: Four unexcused absences in one month or 10 unexcused absences in one school year
- Chronically absent: Missing 10% or more of scheduled school days, including excused and unexcused absences
Attendance Reminders
- School hours are 8:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Students must be inside the building and ready to learn by 8:00 a.m.
- Report all absences and tardies by calling 720-476-8044 and selec Option 2.
- Absences must be reported within 48 hours of the first day of absence to be considered excused.
- Students arriving after 8:00 a.m. must be signed in by a parent or guardian at the front office.
- 8:01–8:20 a.m.: Recorded as tardy.
- After 8:20 a.m.: Recorded as an absence with missed instructional time deducted
- Early departures before 3:30 p.m. count toward the student’s total missed instructional time.
- Extended absences of three or more school days require an Extended Absence Request Form submitted at least two weeks in advance. Even approved extended absences count toward total absenteeism.
- An absence of 10 or more consecutive school days, whether excused or unexcused, results in a temporary administrative withdrawal. The student will be re-enrolled upon returning.
- Excessive tardiness or chronic absenteeism will result in an individualized attendance plan that may include a family meeting, targeted support, progress monitoring, and follow-up. Continued concerns may lead to district intervention or a truancy referral.
How Families Can Help
- Establish consistent bedtime and morning routines.
- Prepare clothes, lunches, and backpacks the night before.
- Schedule appointments and family trips outside school hours whenever possible.
- Keep vaccinations and health records current.
- Develop a backup transportation plan.
- Contact your child’s teacher or counselor if your child feels anxious or has difficulty attending school.
GVADC Attendance Recognition
Each month, we recognize students with perfect attendance and provide special incentive gifts. AM or first-period classes achieving 93% attendance or higher will also earn a class celebration!