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Attendance Information

  • Our school hours are 7:45 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 
  • Students must be in their classroom/first period for the day by 8:15 a.m.
  • No early dismissal of students will be allowed after 2:30 p.m.
  • Student attendance can be viewed and monitored in ParentVUE.

All Day Absence Information

  • When a student will be absent, notification should be provided to the school before or at the start of the school day, when possible.
  • To excuse an absence, written or electronic communication citing the reason(s) for the absence must be provided to the school no more than five school days following the date of the absence. 

How to report an absenceAbsences can be reported in ParentVUE the same day of the absence.

If you would like to send written notification please email Marsteller Middle School at [email protected].

Emails should include:

  • Subject line - the date and type of request (xx/xx/xxxx, early dismissal or xx/xx/xxxx, tardy, etc.)
  • Body - student's name, the phone number to contact parent/guardian, the reason for the request (appointment, illness, etc.).

Handwritten notes will also be accepted with the following information:

Tardy Information

Excused/Unexcused tardies: Students must be escorted in the building by a parent/guardian.

Questions can be directed to our attendance email at [email protected]

  • Students who are not in their classroom/first period by 8:15 a.m. will be marked tardy.
  • Students who are not in their classroom by the start of each class period throughout the day will be marked tardy.
  • A student's tardy will be recorded as excused or unexcused based on whether the reason for the late arrival meets the excused or unexcused absence criteria outlined in the PWCS Attendance Guidelines.

Early Dismissal Information

  • No early dismissal of students will be allowed after x:xx p.m.
  • Add school specific information....

Excused or Unexcused Descriptions

Excused absences include:

  • Illness of the student
  • Medical appointments
  • Court (subpoena or summons must be presented to school)
  • Religious observance
  • Death in the immediate family
  • Visiting a sick relative in the hospital
  • Administration approved pre-arranged absences

Unexcused absences include:

  • Oversleeping
  • Car problems
  • Missing the bus
  • Finishing homework or project
  • Vacation/out of town
  • No utility service

Attendance in PWCS

Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) follows the provisions of Virginia law (Code of Virginia § 22.1-254) regarding compulsory attendance for all school-aged students.

Families are encouraged to review the PWCS attendance guidelines to learn about attendance expectations, reporting expectations, excused and unexcused absences, and other important information. Additional details are available in the PWCS attendance policy and regulations.