It doesn't take many absences to have an effect on a student's grades or potential to graduate. ... By sixth grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school. Ninth-grade (regular or high) attendance better predicts graduation rates than eighth-grade test scores.

Do absences look bad college?

One or two absences won't hurt your college chances, but a series of absences or four-month break from classes might. If you've missed a whole semester or year, or your grades have suffered from repeated absences, you need to address it.

Does student attendance affect achievement?

Students who attend school regularly have been shown to achieve at higher levels than students who do not have regular attendance. This relationship between attendance and achievement may appear early in a child's school career. ... Research shows that attendance is an important factor in student achievement.