PART II SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
Compulsory attendance
21 (1) Unless excused under this section, (a) every person who attains the age of six years on or before the first school day in September in any year shall attend an elementary or secondary school on every school day from the first school day in September in that year until the person attains the age of 18 years; and (b) every person who attains the age of six years after the first school day in September in any year shall attend an elementary or secondary school on every school day from the first school day in September in the next succeeding year until the last school day in June in the year in which the person attains the age of 18 years.  2006, c. 28, s. 5 (1). Participation in equivalent learning (1.1) A person shall be considered to be attending school when he or she is participating in equivalent learning if the equivalent learning program, course of study or other activity and the group, organization or entity providing it have been approved under paragraph 3.0.1 of subsection 8 (1).  2006, c. 28, s. 5 (1). Note: On a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor, subsection 21 (1.1) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted: (See: 2023, c. 11, Sched. 2, s. 8) Participation in equivalent apprenticeship learning (1.1) A person shall be considered to be attending school when he or she is participating in equivalent apprenticeship learning. 2023, c. 11, Sched. 2, s. 8. When attendance excused (2) A person is excused from attendance at school if, (a) the person is receiving satisfactory instruction at home or elsewhere; (b) the person is unable to attend school by reason of sickness or other unavoidable cause; (c) transportation is not provided by a board for the person and there is no school that he or she has a right to attend situated, (i) within 1.6 kilometres from the person’s residence measured by the nearest road if he or she has not attained the age of seven years on or before the first school day in September in the year in question, or (ii) within 3.2 kilometres from the person’s residence measured by the nearest road if he or she has attained the age of seven years but not the age of 10 years on or before the first school day in September in the year in question, or (iii) within 4.8 kilometres from the person’s residence measured by the nearest road if he or she has attained the age of 10 years on or before the first school day in September in the year in question; (d) the person has obtained a secondary school graduation diploma or has completed a course that gives equivalent standing; (e) the person is absent from school for the purpose of receiving instruction in music and the period of absence does not exceed one-half day in any week; (f) the person is suspended, expelled or excluded from attendance at school under any Act or under the regulations; (g) the person is absent on a day regarded as a holy day by the church or religious denomination to which he or she belongs; or (h) the person is absent or excused as authorized under this Act and the regulations.  2006, c. 28, s. 5 (1). Blind, deaf or developmental disability (3) The fact that a person is blind, deaf or has a developmental disability is not of itself an unavoidable cause under clause (2) (b).  2006, c. 28, s. 5 (1). Person under compulsory age (4) Where a person under compulsory school age has been enrolled as a pupil in an elementary school, this section applies during the period for which the person is enrolled as if he or she were of compulsory school age.  2006, c. 28, s. 5 (1). Duty of parent, etc. (5) The parent or guardian of a person who is required to attend school under this section shall cause the person to attend school as required by this section unless the person is at least 16 years old and has withdrawn from parental control.  2006, c. 28, s. 5 (1); 2021, c. 4, Sched. 11, s. 7 (1). Separate school supporters (6) Nothing in this section requires the child of a Roman Catholic separate school supporter to attend a public school or a Protestant separate school, or requires the child of a public school supporter to attend a Roman Catholic separate school.  R.S.O. 1990, c. E.2, s. 21 (6). Persons 16 and over – religious rights (7) Nothing in this section requires a person who is at least 16 years old and has withdrawn from parental control to attend, (a) a Roman Catholic separate school, if he or she is qualified under section 36 to be a resident pupil in respect of a secondary school district of a public board; and (b) a public school, if he or she is qualified under section 36 to be a resident pupil in respect of a separate school zone of a separate district school board.  2006, c. 28, s. 5 (2). Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2006, c. 28, s. 5 (1, 2)
- 20/12/2006 2021, c. 4, Sched. 11, s. 7 (1) - 19/04/2021 2023, c. 11, Sched. 2, s. 8 - not in force