Updated Attendance Policy & Procedures 2026-2027

Dear Mercy Families,

As part of our ongoing commitment to providing the best educational experience for our students, Mercy annually reviews its policies and procedures. After thoughtful reflection, we have made updates to our attendance policy and procedures. These revisions reflect our Mercy Core Values, our Profile of a Graduate, and current research emphasizing the vital role attendance plays in student learning, well-being, and long-term success.

At Mercy, we strive to develop young women who embrace Educational Courage by challenging themselves, engaging fully in their learning, and taking ownership of their growth. Our holistic approach encourages students to be active participants in the classroom and school community as they prepare for college, careers, and lives of purpose.

Regular attendance and arriving on time to class are foundational to student achievement. Research consistently shows that students who attend school regularly build stronger understanding, engage more in class, and achieve better academic outcomes. Even occasional absences or repeated tardiness can interrupt the learning process and make it more difficult to stay connected to classroom instruction.

Being present also supports important aspects of a student's personal development. Daily participation allows students to build relationships, collaborate with peers, strengthen communication and critical-thinking skills, and contribute to the vibrant Mercy community. These experiences are an essential part of a Mercy education and cannot be fully replicated when students are absent.

Several revisions to the Mercy Attendance Policy are in effect for the 2026–2027 school year. These changes provide greater clarity on the verification of absences and the academic consequences of excessive absences.

Key Attendance Policy Revisions for 2026–2027

• Personal trips and vacations will no longer be considered verified absences.

• Documentation to verify an absence must be submitted within one week of the student's return.

• Academic consequences now apply when a student accumulates more than 10 combined verified and unverified absences.

• The number of unverified absences permitted before academic consequences are applied has been reduced from 10 to 5 per semester.

Verification of Absences

Beginning this school year, personal trips and vacations will no longer be classified as verified absences. Mercy’s School Life Calendar provides students and families with scheduled holidays and school breaks throughout the year to support advance planning. A verified absence is one for which the Attendance Office receives appropriate documentation within one week of the student's return to school.

Examples of acceptable documentation include:

• Attendance at a Mercy-sponsored activity

• College visit verification

• Conference agendas

• Court documentation

• Doctor's notes

• Tournament itineraries

Documentation must be submitted to the Attendance Office no later than one week after the student's last day of absence.

Combined Verified and Unverified Absences

Academic consequences will now be based on a student's combined total of verified and unverified absences once that total exceeds 10. Absences related to school-sponsored activities are not included in this total. Mercy's Administration reserves the right to make exceptions to this policy on a case by case basis, including for absences relating to bereavement, serious illness or extenuating personal circumstances. In cases of extenuating circumstances, families should notify the Dean of Student Affairs, who will review the situation and determine the appropriate course of action.

• 11–15 combined absences: Automatic deduction of 5% from the student's final grade.

• 16–20 combined absences: Automatic deduction of 10% from the student's final grade.

• 21 or more combined absences: The student will receive an NCR in each affected course and must earn credit by repeating the course or completing an approved equivalent course.

Unverified Absences

The policy regarding unverified absences has been revised to encourage students to be in school whenever possible and to reduce avoidable absences. An unverified absence is assigned when a parent or guardian reports a student's absence without providing a reason and/or when required documentation is not submitted. 

Unverified absences include:

• Absences where no reason is stated

• Illnesses for which a doctor's note is not provided

• Personal trips or vacations

Students may accumulate up to five unverified absences per semester without academic consequence. As outlined in the Mercy Student and Family Handbook, the following consequences apply when a student exceeds 5 unverified absences in a semester:

• 6–10 unverified absences: Automatic deduction of 5% from the student's final grade.

• 11–15 unverified absences: Automatic deduction of 10% from the student's final grade.

• 16 or more unverified absences: The student will receive an NCR in each affected course and must earn credit by repeating the course or completing an approved equivalent course.

We recognize that circumstances occasionally require students to be away from school. These revisions are intended to encourage consistent attendance while providing clear expectations for families and ensuring that all students have the greatest opportunity to benefit from the Mercy educational experience. We appreciate your partnership in supporting your daughter's success. 

In Mercy,

Eleasha Tarplin ‘94, Dean of Student Affairs

Colleen McMaster ‘81, Associate Principal of Academic Affairs

Patricia Sattler, Principal