Parent Orientation (Summer School)
3. Attendance — What You Need to Know
Calvary Preparatory Academy — Parent Orientation — Page 3 of 10
Attendance — What You Need to Know
Attendance at CPA works differently than at a traditional school. Please read this page carefully — it is one of the most important things a CPA parent needs to understand.
How attendance is measured
At CPA, attendance is measured through participation in the Daily Discussion Forum (DDF). Every school day a devotional or discussion prompt is posted. Your student must respond with a genuine, complete post. That response is their attendance record for the day.
A student who does not post in the DDF on a required school day is marked absent. A student who is excessively absent — defined as failing to log instructional time for more than 10 consecutive school days — may be withdrawn from CPA.
A word to parents about attendance
We want to be transparent with you: attendance at CPA is taken seriously. It is not a formality. A pattern of missed DDF posts will affect your student’s grade and could put their enrollment at risk.
What counts as a valid post
Not every post counts as attendance. A valid post must genuinely respond to the prompt with complete sentences and thoughtful reflection. One-word responses, agreement-only posts ("I agree" or "Nice devotion"), and off-topic comments are flagged and corrected.
The first time this happens, the teacher corrects the student and gives them the opportunity to improve — no immediate penalty. If it becomes a pattern, the post is treated as absent and the grade reflects it.
Attendance and the grading model
DDF participation feeds into the Regular Engagement category of the holistic grade — worth 5% of your student’s overall grade across every course they are enrolled in. Regular, genuine engagement also feeds into Meeting Attendance through the preparation component.
Summer school attendance — stricter policy
If your student is enrolled in summer school, please be aware that the attendance expectations are more demanding. Summer sessions run approximately 3.5–4 weeks with a faster daily pacing. The DDF is 100% required every school day with no exceptions.
Summer school attendance policy
In summer school, the first two DDF absences are handled through the grade rubric. Beginning with the third absence, a direct grade deduction is applied to your student's overall course grade. This is a school policy separate from the regular grading rubric. Please make sure your summer student understands this before the session begins.
| Absence number | Effect on grade (1-course student) |
|---|---|
| 1st and 2nd | Handled through Regular Engagement rubric score only — no direct deduction |
| 3rd absence | −3% off overall course grade |
| 4th absence | −6% cumulative |
| 5th absence | −9% cumulative |
For students taking 2 or 3 courses simultaneously in summer school, the per-absence deduction is proportionally smaller (−2% or −1% per course), but it adds up quickly across multiple courses. The best approach is simply never to miss.
What to do if your student misses a day
If your student misses a DDF post for any reason, they should contact their teacher the same day and explain the situation. While the policy does not allow late DDF posts (the forum locks at midnight), communication with the teacher goes a long way. Teachers know that life happens and they appreciate families who communicate proactively.