Class Attendance Policy

Updated on July 5th, 2025

The expectation for all of our registered Summer Programs students is that they will behave in a professional and responsible manner. Though our faculty and staff want to encourage an environment of fun and exploration, it is important that their time spent preparing for and teaching their courses is met with respect. Students are expected to attend all of their courses, including electives. 

The only instances where a student will be excused from their classes is if the student is too sick to participate. If a student is feeling ill, they should plan to see a nurse at the Campus Triage Center. The nurses on staff will assist all registered Berklee Summer Programs students and will provide the equivalent of a doctor's note for students to give to professors as needed. 

For students living on campus, the only instances where a student will be excused from their nightly curfew check is if the student needs urgent medical attention that draws them away from campus or if there is an emergency situation in their family. 

Current Attendance Policy

  • For all programs other than the Aspire: Five-Week Music Performance Intensive: Parents and/or legal guardians will be notified after the first unexcused absence, and any further absence from core classes or electives could result in the intervention of the Program Directors or the removal from any/all final events.
  • For registered Aspire: Five-Week Music Performance Intensive Students: At Aspire: Five-Week Summer Program, attendance is crucial to a student’s success and safety in the program. Therefore, we take attendance seriously. We have the following guidelines set in place for unexcused absences. Failure to follow any of these guidelines may impact a student's performance in the program. An unexcused absence is the failure to attend any class session during the day, without notice or valid reason.
    • Two (2) unexcused absences: Students will receive an email from the Attendance Officer (fiveweek_attendance@berklee.edu) for their first two unexcused absences. Students are required to respond to the email ASAP and detail why they missed class. Emergency Contact will be CCed on this email (unless the student is over 18).
    • Three (3) unexcused absences: Students will be required to meet with the Attendance Officer in the William Davis room of 150 Boylston. 
    • Four (4) unexcused absence: A meeting will be set up between the Attendance Officer and the student's Emergency Contact to discuss attendance issues and strategies for student success.
      Five (5) unexcused absences: Students with five (5) or more unexcused absences are placed on “Academic Notice.” The Attendance Officer will work closely with students on Academic Notice to ensure that they attend their classes and succeed in the program. Students on Academic Notice who continue to miss classes may receive disciplinary action and possible dismissal from the program. 
    • Twelve (12) unexcused absences:  Once a student reaches twelve (12) unexcused absences, they may be dismissed from the program. 
  • Any grade lower than a B for any of the following courses will result in the revoking of the student's eligibility to earn college credit during their time at the Aspire: Five-Week Music Performance Intensive: 
    • Theory in Performance
    • Musicianship
    • The student's Private Instruction
    • The student's Primary Section of Ensemble