Reminders and Policies

Per state policy: Students can miss no more than six days in a semester class (12 days in a year-long class). If a student is absent more than this, they cannot receive credit for the course.

• At Shelby High School, students who have more than six UNEXCUSED absences in a semester course (12 UNEXCUSED absences in a year-long course) are in danger of failing the course due to attendance.
• Students can make up this time during PRIDE by attending activities with their teachers. 3 PRIDE activities with a teacher will make up for 1 absence for that teacher in a semester course (3 PRIDE activities will make up for 2 absences in a year-long course). Catchalls do not count.
• Every three unexcused tardies equates one unexcused absence.

Students can be exempt from a teacher-made final exam if they have a final average of 80 or higher AND have no more than six total absences (includes suspension, excused absences, and unexcused absences). There is NO MAKEUP for this exemption.

To be eligible for high school athletics per the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, student athletes must be present 85% of days in the previous semester. ALL ABSENCES (suspensions, excused absences, and unexcused absences) affect this percentage. There is NO MAKEUP for this exemption. Absences during this fall semester will affect athletic eligibility for spring semester.

Our school day begins at 8:00AM. Students who enter their 1st block class after the morning bell rings to begin the day will be counted tardy. Additionally, students who enter any class during the day after the tardy bell rings will be counted tardy for that class. Three unexcused tardies to any class will equate one absence from that class.

Unexcused early checkouts from class/school will be treated the same as unexcused tardies to class/school.

Per Cleveland County School Board policy: when a student must miss school, a written excuse signed by a parent or guardian must be presented to the student’s teacher or attendance office within two (2) days of the student’s return after an absence. Notes turned in after this timeframe may not be accepted by our office. Please submit written excuse notes as soon as possible after a student returns to school.

• As part of our school safety plan, Shelby High School will continue to implement enhanced safety measures this academic year.  Each day during arrival, our dedicated safety-security team will be stationed at various student entrances using metal detection devices while searching carry-along bags. As a result of the implementation of these safety checks, the school building will not be open to students each morning before 7:40AM. Things to remember regarding our new arrival procedures:
  • Have chromebooks out. Chromebooks are passed around the safety stations while bookbags, keys, phones, earbuds, etc can go through with no problem. Bigger metal cups (Stanley, etc) and umbrellas may need to be passed around as well. Bigger notebooks (3in binders) may set the alarm off.
  • Arriving early ensures you can be in class on time. As we get better with this process, tardies will be counted after 8am, even when students are going through the safety stations.

The only designated student drop-off/pick-up location for student arrival and dismissal is at the flagpole in our front circle. Students should not be dropped off or picked up in any other location. Thank you for your support!