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Student Handbook

Below are a few local school policies that students and parents often have questions about, please read the Student Handbook linked on the right for all McClure Health Science High School policies.

Attendance Policy

Absences

The first day a student returns to school after an absence, he/she should bring a note signed by his/her parent or guardian including the date and the reason for the absence. The note shall be submitted to the Main Office or through ParentVUE. Visit the MHSHS website for directions on submitting absence notes through ParentVUE. If a student has forgotten his/her excuse, he/she has 10 days after the absence to present it; otherwise, the absence will be considered unexcused. 

An absence will be unexcused unless it qualifies to be excused under one of the following areas as defined by state law:

  • Students who are personally ill and whose attendance in school would endanger their health or the health of others.
  • Students in whose immediate family there is a serious illness or death that would reasonably necessitate absence from school.
  • Students who observe special and recognized religious holidays observed by their faith.
  • Students who are mandated by order of governmental agencies (pre-induction physical examination for service in the armed forces or court order).
  • Students who are expelled from school for short-term suspension.
  • Students who are at least 12 years of age and are serving as pages in the General Assembly.
  • Students may be excused from school attendance when prevented from such attendance due to conditions rendering school attendance impossible or hazardous to their health and safety. 

Due to the size of the school and the number of activities at the end of the school day, students will not be permitted to check out after 1:15 pm. Please schedule appointments accordingly. 

AWOL Consequences

A student may not leave school grounds after his/her arrival on campus without the permission of a duly authorized school official. Students who leave campus without checking out or who are absent without their parent’s knowledge will be considered AWOL from school. Students who do 14 not have permission to be out of class are considered AWOL from class. Students absent from class 10 or more minutes are AWOL.  

AWOL consequences are as follows:

  • 1st AWOL in a single class: Parents are contacted. Teacher-led/admin detention after school.
  • 2nd and beyond AWOL in a single class: Parents are contacted. Discipline referral. 

Tardy Policy

Tardy to School/Late Check-In

Students who arrive at school after 7:00 a.m. should report directly to their class. Any student who arrives after 7:08 am, a parent or guardian is required to be present to sign the child in at the Main Office. Appropriate consequences will be issued for unexcused and/or repeated tardies and/or late check-in.  

It is the expectation that students arrive to class on time to engage in bell-to-bell instruction. All late students should go straight to class.  

Tardy Consequences

  • 1st-4th Tardies: Parents are contacted. A warning is issued.
  • 5th Tardy: Parents are contacted. After-school detention is issued.
  • 6 & Above Tardies: Parents are contacted. The supportive community will issue further consequences.
  • Tardies reset every 9 weeks. 

Dress Code

McClure Health Science High School is proud to provide the premier Health Science High School experience in Georgia. To help maintain this standard of excellence, we encourage students to dress in a way that supports a focused and respectful learning environment. The following guidelines are intended to help students make informed decisions about what to wear to school.

At McClure Health Science High School, clothing choices should support our commitment to daily academic learning. Instruction is interrupted when students are referred to an administrator due to attire that is considered inappropriate for the school setting. If a student’s clothing is deemed disruptive or inappropriate by a school administrator, they will be asked to make a change. Refusal to do so may result in disciplinary consequences.  

Medical scrubs and medical uniforms are permitted every day. Students are encouraged to purchase these items from the school store.  

Clothing is NOT permitted if it includes:

  • Images, symbols, or language that promote or reference gang affiliation, illegal activity, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or sexually explicit or offensive content  
  • Styles that expose cleavage, midriff, upper thighs, or undergarments  
  • Head coverings that obscure the head or face (such as hats, durags, full headbands, etc.), unless worn for religious or medical reasons  

Clothing is considered appropriate for the learning environment when it:  

  • Covers the chest, stomach, bottom, and upper thighs  
  • Keeps undergarments fully covered  
  • Displays respectful, school-appropriate content  
  • Leaves the head uncovered unless for religious or medical purposes