Yes.

Your school must let you leave to get health care for yourself or your child.

Your school must allow you to go to certain kinds of health appointments without telling your parents or requiring your parent to call or write in, including appointments for

• pregnancy
• prenatal care
• birth control
• abortion
• STI services
• mental health services
• drug treatment services

You do not have to tell the school what your appointment is for. You can say it is for “confidential care.” Your school should count your appointment as an excused absence – just like they would any other medical appointment.

Important! You will have to make up any work you miss.

Warning! The law says your school must excuse you and not tell your parents about your appointment. But not all schools follow this law well. Before making an appointment, ask a trusted adult at school about your school’s policies. Find out what you need to do to make sure what you tell them will be kept private.  If you are told that you cannot leave without parent permission, contact us.