• Elementary: 8:30 am - 3:30 pm.  Arrival: Doors will open to elementary schools at 7:45 a.m.
  Dismissal: Car riders will begin dismissal at 3:30 p.m.; Bus riders will be dismissed as buses arrive at the school after 3:30 pm.

• CMS: 7:30 am - 2:30 pm.  Arrival: Doors will open at Cleveland Middle at 7:00 a.m.
  Dismissal: Car rider and bus rider students will be dismissed at 2:30 pm.

• CHS: 7:30 am - 2:30 pm.  Arrival: Doors will open at Cleveland High at 7:00 a.m. Dismissal: Students will dismiss at 2:30 p.m. to buses and cars.

K-12 Student Attendance Guide
Attendance is a key factor in student achievement and is required by the State of Tennessee Compulsory School Attendance Law (TCA-49-6-3001). 

Parent notes for an excused absence will be accepted for a total of three (3) days per semester or six (6) total absences per year. Any additional excused absence for personal illness must be accompanied by a doctor’s note within five (5) school days of the student’s return. 

Excused absences include: personal illness, death in the family, extreme weather conditions, religious observances, college visits, pregnancy, school-sponsored or endorsed activities, summons to court, and circumstances which in the judgment of the principal, create emergencies over which the student has no control. 

Progressive Truancy Plan:

Tier I - Prevention-Oriented Supports

• Attendance Guide will be published to parents/students prior to the start of the school year

• Families will be notified when student absences occur

• Additional follow-up will be made by the school admin/designee if a student accumulates (5) unexcused absences 
  

Tier II - Campus Court Mediation (6+ unexcused absences per school year) 

• The conference scheduled with student, parent, school personnel, and Juvenile Court mediator

• Conference notes and the creation of an attendance agreement will be drafted by all participants 

• A review date will be set for all Tier II cases

Tier III - Campus Court Review/Services (Implemented if more unexcused absences occur after TIER 2)

●   Review meeting scheduled with all participants
●   Referral by the mediator to services deemed necessary
●   Referral by the mediator to “Behavioral Unit” if deemed necessary
●   Further absences or non-compliance will result in a petition to Juvenile Court

*If Tier II or Tier III are unsuccessful with a student and the school can document that the student’s parent is unwilling to cooperate with the truancy intervention plan, then a referral may be made to Bradley County Juvenile Court without having to implement subsequent intervention tiers.  

*When total absences (excused and unexcused) exceed 10% of the school year, the principal or designee may implement the above tier system.

*If a student is counted unexcused for a tardy or a check out (5) times this action equals (1) unexcused absence.  

*Link to Cleveland City Schools Student Attendance Policy 6.200

*Student disciplinary consequences may be enforced at the recommendation of the building administrator in conjunction with attendance personnel.  These consequences might include in-school suspension, community service and citations. 

*More than ten consecutive or fifteen total (excused or unexcused absences) by a student during any semester renders a student ineligible to retain a driver’s permit or license, or to obtain such if of age.  In order to qualify for reclaiming a driver’s license or permit, a student must pass at least (3) full credit courses at the conclusion of any grading period and have satisfactory attendance.