A student’s regular attendance in class is vital to spiritual, academic, and social development. Regular attendance in all assigned classes is expected.

Students with more than five unexcused absences during any nine-week grading period may receive failing marks for that grading period, which may jeopardize promotion to the next grade or result in loss of credit. Students who miss ten days or more during a semester may receive no credit for that semester’s work. Students who accumulate two or more unexcused absences in a semester may forfeit extracurricular activities and trips.

The administration reserves the right to excuse absences. Doctor’s notes or documentation must be received in the school office within three days after the absence. Absences will fall into one of the following categories:

Students are expected to arrive on time for school. When a student receives three unexcused tardies to school, these tardies will be counted as one day of unexcused absence. Based upon the unexcused absence policy, any class work or quizzes administered during an unexcused absence may not be made up, and zero credit will be given. The school administration may arrange for a parent conference for students who have been tardy to school three or more times in a nine-week period.

Examples of excused tardies include family or personal emergencies, car accidents, extreme weather/traffic conditions, illness or injury, etc.

Students who are late for school or tardy for any class must first report to the school office to receive a pass to be admitted to the classroom.

When it becomes necessary for a student to leave school early, parents must contact the school office prior to the student’s dismissal. Students must sign out through the school office. It is recommended that parents notify the teacher when a student is to leave early.

Personal days off from school require a Pre-Arranged Absence Form be completed and submitted to the school office three days in advance of the absence. Upon approval, students will receive assignments in advance and will make up assignments in accordance with the MCA make-up work policy.

Family vacations and trips should be scheduled to correspond with the school calendar. Should it be absolutely necessary, students may be absent up to five days each school year for such reasons.

If a Pre-Arranged Absence Form was not filled out and approved prior to the first day of an absence, the absence may be considered an unexcused absence.

Students with an approved pre-arranged absence will have an equal amount of time to make up assignments. For example, two days of absence would mean two days to make up assignments.

Occasionally, absences are unplanned (such as an illness or an emergency). When it is necessary that a student be absent, parents should notify the office the morning of the absence stating the reason. No absence will be excused without communication with the school office. Students who have been absent for more than three days due to illness should provide a doctor’s note upon returning to school.

Secondary students with an unplanned absence are responsible to contact their teachers to make up assignments. Parents of elementary students are responsible to contact the teacher for make-up assignments.

The following will apply to tardies and absences:

Any senior not attending the senior trip will be required to be in attendance at school for the duration of the senior trip. (Any money raised by a senior who does not participate in the trip will be divided evenly among the seniors attending the trip.) Seniors who do not participate in the senior trip and who are not in attendance at school during that time receive unexcused absences.

Students may arrive as early as 7:30 AM. School begins each day at 8:00 AM. Parents should proceed through the drop-off zone near the Bauer/Baker building doors (between 7:30 and 8:00 AM). Parents of preschool and kindergarten students should park in the lot and accompany their child to the classroom. All other students should proceed to their assigned classroom. The drop off zones are also fire lanes; vehicles may not be parked or left unattended at any time. All drivers are expected to abide by the posted speed limit.

Student drivers are required to park in the designated parking spaces.

The Bauer/Baker building doors will be locked at 8:00 AM. each day. Students arriving after 8:00 AM must be dropped off at the front of the building near the school office.

Dismissal is at 12:00 PM for half-day students (preschool and kindergarten only) or 3:00 PM for full-day students. Parents must park in spaces near the Bauer/Baker building while waiting for the students to exit the building. (Please observe handicap parking spaces.)

Preschool and elementary students who are not picked up from school when the dismissal period ends will be taken to Late Stay. This service is provided until 6:00 PM each school day, unless otherwise stated. Weekly charges will be charged through FACTS. Students may bring a snack for Late Stay. Students who are not picked up by 6:00 PM will be charged an additional $10 fee.

In the event of inclement weather, driving conditions and temperature is considered when school is delayed or closed for the day. All delays and closings for Milford Christian Academy will be announced via FACTS Parent Alert, social media, and local news stations.

Any individual (other than staff or students) who desires to enter the building must use the buzzer/intercom system prior to entry. Upon entry, individuals must sign in at the school office. No individual (other than staff or students) may enter any classroom or common area without having an appointment pre-arranged through the school office. Exceptions include sporting events, fine arts events, or graduation ceremonies.

Parents/guardians may occasionally join their child for lunch on special occasions when prior arrangements have been made with the teacher and/or administration.