School Attendance

As we prepare for a successful school year, the Meridian Public School District wants to remind families about important updates to the Mississippi Department of Education's attendance policy introduced in Senate Bill 2103.

Under the revised policy, students may have up to five excused absences per semester, including parent notes and medical excuses.

Beginning with the fourth illness-related absence in a semester, a medical excuse from a healthcare provider is required.

Any additional excused absences beyond the semester limit must be approved by the principal due to extenuating circumstances.

Students must be present for at least 66 percent of the school day to be counted present, and students who miss more than 33 percent of the school day may not participate in school-sponsored extracurricular activities that day, which includes athletic events.