The Bainbridge Island School District prioritizes partnering with families to make sure students fully benefit from their education by attending school regularly. Your student can start building this habit as early as preschool so they learn that going to school on time, every day is important.

Our Promise To You
We know that there are a wide variety of reasons that students are absent from school. There are many people in our building prepared to help you if you or your student face challenges in getting to school regularly or on time.  We promise to track attendance daily, to notice when your student is missing from class, communicate with you to understand why they were absent, and to identify barriers and supports available to overcome challenges you may face in helping your student attend school.

Did You Know?

• Starting in kindergarten, too many absences (excused and unexcused) can cause children to fall behind in school.  
• Missing 10 percent (or about 18 days) increases the chance that your students will not read or master math at the same level as their peers.
• Students can still fall behind if they miss just a day or two days every few weeks.
• Being late to school may lead to poor attendance.  
• By 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school.
• By being present at school, your child learns valuable social skills and has the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with other students and school staff.
• By 9th grade, regular and high attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th-grade test scores.

What You Can Do

• Avoid scheduling vacations when school is in session. They are considered unexcused absences.
• Build regular routines for bedtime and the morning.
• Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
• Talk about the importance of regular attendance and about how your child feels about school.
• Don’t permit missing school unless your child is truly sick. Use a thermometer to check for a fever. Remember that stomach aches and headaches may be signs of anxiety.
• If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make him/her feel comfortable and excited about learning.
• Avoid medical appointments when school is in session.
• Keep a chart recording your child’s attendance at home. At the end of the week, talk with your child about what you see.
• Develop backup plans for getting to school if something comes up. Ask a family member, neighbor, or another parent for help.
• Seek support from school staff or community groups to help with transportation, health problems, etc.
• Encourage meaningful afterschool activities, including sports and clubs.

We miss your student when they are gone and we value their contributions to our school. We would like you to help ensure that your student attends regularly and is successful in school.  If your student is going to be absent, please contact your student’s school.

School Policies And State Laws

It is important that you understand our school policies and procedures, as well as Washington State Law, to ensure your child is successful in school. State law for mandatory attendance called the Becca Bill, requires children from age 8 to 18 to attend a public school, private school, or a district-approved home school program. Children who are 6- or 7-years-old are not required to be enrolled in school. However, if parents enroll their 6- or 7-year-old, the student must attend full-time. Youth who are 16 or older may be excused from attending public school if they meet certain requirements.

Washington state law (RCW 28A.225.010) requires mandatory attendance for children ages 8 to 17 at a public school, private school, or a district-approved home school program. Children that are 6- or 7-years-old are not required to be enrolled in school. However, if parents enroll their 6- or 7-year-old, the student must attend full-time. Youth who are 16 or older may be excused from attending public school if they meet certain requirements.  

BISD School Board Policy 3122 and Procedure P3122 outline the district’s policy regarding excused and unexcused absences. BISD is required to provide annual notice of its Attendance Policy.