Attendance
Welcome to Pasadena High School Attendance
Regular school attendance is essential for student success. Research shows that students who attend school consistently perform better academically, develop stronger relationships with peers and teachers, and are more likely to graduate. We recognize that life happens—illness, family emergencies, and other legitimate circumstances occur—but we ask families to work together with us to keep absences to a minimum.
Compulsory attendance is required by Texas law, and Pasadena ISD takes attendance seriously. Our goal is to support students in meeting attendance expectations while providing resources and guidance when challenges arise.
Attendance Requirements
Students Ages 6–18
Texas law requires all students between ages 6 and 18 to attend school regularly. Students must attend:
- All regularly scheduled school days
- Any assigned accelerated instruction programs
- Extended-year programs or tutorial sessions
- Any required state-mandated assessments
Key Policy: Students must attend class at least 90% of the days it is offered to receive credit or a final grade. Students attending 75–89% may receive credit if they complete a principal-approved plan. Students attending fewer than 75% will have their case reviewed by an attendance committee to determine if extenuating circumstances exist.
Students Age 19 and Older
Students who voluntarily enroll after their 19th birthday must attend each school day through the end of the school year. After three unexcused absences, the District will notify the student that enrollment may be revoked if five or more unexcused absences accumulate in a semester.
Unexcused Absences: What You Need to Know
- Warning Letter: After three unexcused absences within a 28-day period, a warning letter will be issued and a parent conference will be requested.
- Attendance Contract: If unexcused absences continue, your child and/or you may be placed on an attendance contract, which may include counseling and intervention measures.
- Truancy Referral: If your child continues to accumulate unexcused absences or does not follow the intervention measures, the school may file truancy charges in court. You and your child may be required to appear in court and could face fines or social services evaluation.
How to Report an Absence
When Your Child Is Absent:
- Contact Pasadena High School as soon as possible on the day of absence.
- Upon return to school, submit a written explanation signed by a parent or guardian.
- For absences due to personal illness lasting 3+ consecutive days, provide medical verification.
- All written excuses must be submitted within two days of the student's return to school.
Doctor's Notes: If your child is absent due to illness, a doctor's statement verifying the illness must be provided within two days of return. Students with a pattern of questionable absences may be required to provide medical verification for each absence.
Official (ADA) Attendance Taking: The District takes official attendance every day at 9:30 AM.
Excused Absences
The following absences may be excused if makeup work is completed:
- Religious holy days
- Required court appearances
- Activities related to obtaining U.S. citizenship
- Health-care appointments (if student returns same day with provider's note)
- Serious or life-threatening illness or related treatment (with physician certification)
- Military family visitation (up to 5 days per year for active duty, leave, or deployment return)
- Driver's license or learner's permit acquisition (one day each)
- College visits (up to 2 days per year with principal approval)
- Military enlistment (up to 4 days during high school enrollment)
- Election clerk duty (up to 2 days per year)
Contact Information
Truancy Prevention Facilitator: Maria Padilla, Manager of Student Services
Pasadena ISD - Student Services
Phone: 713-740-0947
Email: mpadilla@pasadenaisd.org
Pasadena High School Attendance Office:
206 South Shaver
Pasadena, Texas 77506
Phone: (713) 740-0310
Attendance Clerks:
For questions about your child's attendance, contact the Pasadena High School attendance office at (713) 740-0310. Attendance staff can direct callers to the appropriate grade-level attendance clerk.
Additional Resources
For complete attendance policies and procedures, please refer to the Full Student Handbook or contact the Pasadena High School attendance office.
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