Parents are required to notify the Rhetoric School Office whenever their student will be absent from school. There is no difference between “excused” and “unexcused” absences. Except for skipping (which falls under truancy), all absences are considered “excused” in the traditional sense, but they are still counted as absences and accumulate towards the limit of allowable absences.
However, there is a difference between calculating and non-calculating absences. All absences, except for family emergencies, major family events such as weddings or funerals, college visits (see below), or doctor visits with a note from the doctor’s office are considered to be calculating absences. Family emergencies and major events, college visits (see below) and doctor’s visits with a note from the doctor’s office are considered to be non-calculating absences.
Juniors and Seniors are allowed two non-calculating absences per year for college visits. Sophomores are allowed one non-calculating absence per year for a college visit. Additional non-calculating absences for college visits may be granted but must be approved by the Rhetoric headmaster and/or college and academic advisor prior to the absence. These absences should be handled as described above in “Planned Absences.” Students must turn in written proof of the college visit to the college and academic advisor in order for the absence to be recorded as non-calculating.