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Excused Absence Period for MCPS Students Concerned About COVID-19 Ends Today

Montgomery County Public Schools sent out the following community message:

Dear MCPS Families,

The period of excused absences for students and their families who remained concerned about attending school due to COVID-19 expires today, Feb. 11.

Beginning Monday students are expected to attend school in-person and if absent they must provide a reason for that absence as is allowed under the MCPS Guide to Students Rights and Responsibility

Students may miss school for the following reasons only:

• Death in the immediate family
• Student illness
• Court summons
• Doctor/Medical appointments
• Pregnancy and parenting needs
• Observance of a religious holiday
• State emergency

For more information visit the MCPS Guide to Students Rights and Responsibility

Montgomery County Public Schools

The period of excused absences for students and their families who remained concerned about attending school due to COVID-19 expires today, Feb. 11. More information: https://t.co/cuEVfINcSv — MCPS (@MCPS) February 11, 2022

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Board Members

Public education is a right available to all young people of school age in Montgomery County.  It is provided at considerable expense to parents and other citizens of the county.

Student attendance is a cooperative effort among schools, parents, and students.  To achieve optimum learning, good attendance by students K-12 is crucial.  Tardies (check-ins) and early dismissals (checkouts) are disruptive to the instructional time of the entire class.  Each parent or guardian is responsible for the student’s regular and punctual attendance.

Regular class attendance is considered by the Montgomery County School Board to be essential to the educational process and to the satisfactory completion of the requirements of any class and subject offered.  Regular school attendance also is directly related to the development of good habits, which are important in the world of work and in higher education.  A ninety-five percent (95%) or better attendance rate is the goal.

School personnel shall recognize their responsibilities to motivate students to attend school and to conduct the curriculum in such a manner as to provide for the individual needs of students.

Nothing in this policy shall be construed to limit in any way the authority of any attendance officer or the division superintendent to seek immediate compliance with the compulsory attendance law.

Compulsory Attendance Procedures

A reasonable effort will be made to contact a parent/guardian of each absent student every day and to obtain an explanation for the student’s absence, where there is no indication that the student’s parent is aware of and supports the absence.

The following procedures apply when a student fails to report to school for scheduled school days:

Upon Fifth Absence Without Parental Awareness and Support:

After a total of five (5) scheduled school days missed, where there is no indication that the student’s parent is aware of and supports the absences, the principal or the principal’s designee will make a reasonable effort to ensure that direct contact is made with the parent, in person, through a telephone conversation, or through the use of other communications devices to obtain an explanation for the pupil’s absence and to explain to the parent consequences of continued non-attendance. The principal or the principal’s designee, the pupil, and the pupil’s parent will develop a plan to resolve the pupil’s non-attendance. The plan must include documentation of the reasons for the pupil’s non-attendance.

Additional Absences Without Parental Awareness and Support:

If the pupil is absent for more than one additional day after direct contact with the pupil’s parent, and school personnel have received no indication that the pupil’s parent is aware of and supports the pupil’s absence, the principal or the principal’s designee shall schedule a conference with the pupil, his/her parent, and school personnel. Such conference may include the attendance officer and other community service providers to resolve issues related to the pupils nonattendance. The conference shall be held no later than ten (10) school days after the tenth absence of the pupil, regardless of whether his parent approves of the conference.

The conference team shall monitor the pupil's attendance and may meet again as necessary to address concerns and plan additional interventions if attendance does not improve. In circumstances in which the parent is intentionally noncompliant with compulsory attendance requirements or the pupil is resisting parental efforts to comply with compulsory attendance requirements, the principal or his designee shall make a referral to the attendance officer. The attendance officer shall schedule a conference with the pupil and his parent within 10 school days and may: file a complaint with the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court alleging that the pupil is a child in need of supervision as defined in Virginia Code § 16.1-228; and/or institute proceedings against the parents pursuant to § 18.2-371 or § 22.1-262. In filing a complaint against the parents, the division superintendent’s designee shall provide written documentation of the efforts already undertaken to resolve the pupil’s absence. If the student’s parents have joint physical custody of the student and the school has notice of the custody arrangement, then both parents shall be notified at their last known addresses.

Ten or More Undocumented Absences Without Parental Awareness and Support:

If the pupil has ten or more undocumented absences, the principal, or his or her designee, in addition to any other actions required by applicable law or this Policy, may petition the juvenile and domestic relations court to suspend the pupil’s driver’s license.

Student Absences/Tardies/Early Dismissals

Student absences, tardies, check-ins, and checkouts will be recorded on a daily basis for each class in the following manner: a. A student is counted present only when he/she is present in the classroom or other approved designated area at the time of the tardy bell or is attending or participating in an approved school-sponsored field trip or event. b. A student reporting after the tardy bell or after the designated starting time for the class period will be recorded as present and tardy. c. If a student is being transported by a County bus or vehicle that arrives late, the student will not be counted as tardy.  d. A student shall be considered absent when he/she does not report to class during the class period.  e. A student who reports to the school attendance office late, with or without documentation will be marked as a check-in. f. A student who requests an early dismissal with documentation shall be marked as a checkout at the school attendance office.  g. At the beginning of the school year, teachers should inform students of how the tardy policy is implemented in their classrooms for middle and high school students.

Teachers are responsible for initiating the necessary communications with parents any time absences, check-ins or checkouts are jeopardizing the student’s progress in class.  Absences for each grading period will be reported to the parent(s)/guardian(s) on the report card.  

For elementary school students, if a student misses five (5) days within any grading period, a letter may be sent to the parent to encourage improved attendance.   Retention may be considered for any student missing twenty (20) days of school.

Documenting Absences

All absences shall be identified as excused or unexcused. Each student should present to the school attendance office a written note which includes the date(s), cause(s), and the parent’s/guardian’s signature for daily absences, early dismissal or late arrival of the student.  Parental permission for early dismissal must be presented to school officials on or before the day requested.  Notes of explanation for student absences or check-ins should be received the day following the absence or check-in. 

Absences for any of the reasons listed below shall be excused.

a. state mandated testing or other school/division testing programs; b. school-sponsored field trips or activities; c. all VHSL activities; d. late bus or buses which fail to run; e. conference with guidance counselor, administrator, or other related staff members; f. in-school suspension (I.S.S.);   g. involuntary court appearance (copy of court order or subpoena required); h. death in the family or household (verification may be required); i. religious holidays (verification may be required);

j. college visit or work based learning opportunity (verification required) up to 3 school days

k. illness, including mental health and wellbeing (if over 3 days, the school may require verification)

l. doctor/dental appointments (verification required)

m. extenuating circumstances which are determined by school administration

Any excessive check-ins, checkouts, or patterns of absences may result in administrative intervention including the development of an attendance improvement plan and/or disciplinary action.

All notes of excuse, requests, or any other correspondence concerning student absences, check-ins, and check-outs shall be preserved for a minimum of sixty (60) calendar days after the close of the school year.

Make-Up Work

It shall be the responsibility of the student and/or parent to request make-up work for absences and for the student to complete all assigned make-up work within one school day for every day missed  (Example:  miss 3 days, 3 school days to make up the work) unless the teacher extends his/her time.  Teachers shall have the discretion to extend the time limit because of extenuating circumstances.  Make-up work shall be provided for all absences, including absences caused by out-of-school suspensions.

Absences for Observance of a Religious Holiday

A student may be excused from school for the observance of a religious holiday.  The parent/guardian of such student shall provide a letter to the student’s school in advance of the planned absence notifying the school of the planned absence, the dates of the planned absence and the religious holiday being observed. 

A student who is absent in accordance with this policy shall not be deprived of any award or eligibility or opportunity to compete for any award, or of the right to take an alternate test or examination, for any which he or she missed by reason of such absence.  Make-up work shall be completed as described in “Make-Up Work,” above.

Absences for Civic Events

Subject to guidelines established by the Department of Education, one school day-long excused absence per school year for any middle school or high school student in the school division who is absent from school to engage in a civic event shall be permitted and additional excused absences may be permitted for such students who are absent for such purpose. Advanced notice must be provided by the student of the intended absence and the student must also provide documentation of participation in a civic event.

Absences for Pow Wows

Subject to guidelines established by the Department, any student who is a member of a state-recognized or federally recognized tribal nation that is headquartered in the Commonwealth and who is absent from school to attend such tribal nation's pow wow gathering shall be granted one excused absence per academic year, provided that the parent of such student provides to the student's school advance notice of such absence in the manner required by the school.

Absences for 4-H Educational Programs and Activities

No student who misses a partial or full day of school while participating in a 4-H educational program or activity shall be counted as absent for the purposes of calculating average daily membership and each such student shall receive course credit in the same manner as he would for a school field trip, provided that: 1. The school board shall develop policies and procedures for such students to make up missed work; 2. The school board may determine the maximum number of school days per academic year that a student may spend participating in 4-H educational programs or activities to not be counted absent; and 3. No school shall provide course credit to a student pursuant this policy if the student's participation in a 4-H educational program or activity occurs during scheduled Standards of Learning assessments or during any period of time that the student is suspended or expelled from school. Upon request from a school principal or an assistant principal, an agent or representative from 4-H shall provide documentation as proof of a student's participation in an activity or program sponsored by 4-H.  

Adopted:  April 2004

Revised:  June 2004, August 2004, May 2008, June 2009, June 2010, June 2011, June 2014, August 2015, August 2017, June 2018, August 2018, October 2019, August 2020, July 2021, August 2022

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News and information to serve, inform, and inspire every resident of Montgomery County, Maryland

New MCPS ‘attendance action plan’ to reevaluate grading policies

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Quantifying absenteeism

Data in the plan shows middle school absenteeism increasing from 17% to 22% between last school year and the year prior, while elementary-level absenteeism decreased from 23% to just under 20%. Pre-kindergarten students experienced a consistent absenteeism rate of around 45% over the past two years, data shows. Monteleone said when considering the pre-K figure, it’s important to remember that attendance is not compulsory until kindergarten.

Of non-focus group students, 14.8% were considered absent.

By the close of last school year, 2,262 high school students had been placed on attendance improvement plans out of a pool of over 50,500 students districtwide, according to data received by MoCo360 via a Maryland Public Information Act request .

A two-phase approach to improvement

The first phase concentrates on planning and analysis, including a review of findings from the antiracist system audit , analyzing absenteeism data, gathering feedback from stakeholders and the subsequent development of “school-specific attendance plans.” Each school’s plan must include four specific elements:

• Regularly scheduled attendance data review sessions for staff
• Identification of specific students in need of support from well-being team
• Collaborative “attendance problem-solving” meetings with students and families
• Summer outreach programs for students marked chronically absent last year, including attendance monitoring plans

No immediate policy changes

When asked whether the plan will update any existing grading or attendance policies, Cram told MoCo360 “anything can be examined” but that the action plan does not dictate any immediate changes. “There is a process governing a policy change,” he said.

Some parents have already expressed skepticism about how much the new plan will actually improve absenteeism across schools.

“If MCPS attacked its problems as they see them coming, rather than letting them build and build until they’re completely out of control, we’d be able to preserve a reputation,” she said.

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Students call for more excused college visits

Chloe Perel editor-in-chief

For most, college is a four-year commitment and has potential to set up the trajectory of your life. You want to be as informed as possible when making your decision to ensure that you’re attending a school where you can thrive. Physically visiting the campus is the best way to get an impression of the atmosphere and to learn more about the college itself.

Touring a wide enough array of colleges to feel comfortable in selecting which to apply to typically requires overlap between school and your visits. One would think that with the importance placed on furthering your academic career at a college, you would also be able to attend as many during the school year as possible. However, due to a limited number of excused absences dedicated to college visits, this is not the case.

The current policy for absences regarding college visits dictates that juniors can be excused for three days in their second semester and seniors can be excused for five before the first of May. You must print out the email confirmation from the college that contains your visit’s information and have your parents sign it. These confirmations can be turned into the attendance office before or after your visit.

The finite number of excused absences for visits harms students’ ability to make a completely educated decision on where to apply and ultimately, where to attend. “We need more [days] for college visits,” junior Lainey Morris said.

Junior year is the typical start of the college process. It would make sense for juniors to be permitted to go on visits from the time that school begins, yet they’re only excused second semester. “They should make [excused visits] for first semester juniors too,” junior Peter Pietri said.

In an environment that shoves college down your throat from the beginning of freshman year, it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that high school’s main purpose is to educate. This is why administrators are hesitant to permit more than eight excused college visits. “It’s a priority for students to be in school,” senior administrator Jackie Lightsey said.

There are special cases in which underclassmen can be excused for a visit. “Juniors in first semester that have programs are able to get that approved as a college visit,” Lightsey said.

These “special cases” also extend to student-athletes who choose to commit while they are still considered underclassmen. In my personal field hockey recruitment experience, I found it extremely helpful to figure out what I want in a college before the stress of junior and senior year ensued.

All in all, excused absences for college visits shouldn’t limited. Allowing more excused visits would do nothing but help students along in finding the perfect college fit. If a student desperately needs an extra day for a visit, it’s easy to say they had a sick-day, making the college-visit category a farce.

• Chloe Perel

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MCPS Has Eased Attendance Policy for Students

by Bryan Kim ‘23

As students and teachers have adjusted to in-person learning during an unpredictable pandemic, unexcused absences and tardiness has been an issue. Procedures such as hall sweeps were briefly introduced in November to address the problem.

However, because of the pandemic and following virtual learning for most of last year, many attendance policies used in past school years to monitor absences and tardiness are no longer in place. For students who are excessively absent or tardy, the administration and counseling team create a plan to possibly conduct a home visit, set up a Zoom call or phone call, and send a letter home. An attendance plan will then be put in place for those students, such as check-ins by the counselor to see if students are attending school.

“As a county and school, we still make contact with the family, conduct home visits if necessary, and send letters,” said Principal Tim Britton. “However, the letters are not punitive but more about trying to make contact and check for personal health.”

Certain circumstances will require different approaches to solve the issue. “Sometimes it’s about transportation and we work with the county to see if we can support transportation for the student. If the student is still unable or unwilling to attend, then we look into alternative school placements outside of Sherwood,” explained Britton.

Attendance is taken by teachers and recorded in Synergy. This data can be seen by parents through ParentVue, the parent portal. When a student is marked absent, an automated ConnectEd call alerts the parent/guardian that the student is absent. This allows for quick intervention and escalation if needed. Prior to the pandemic, Sherwood and high schools throughout MCPS would automatically generate letters to parents if their child has three and then five unexcused absences. Britton stated that the county has eased its attendance policies due to students and/or family members becoming infected with Covid-19 or having other illnesses or emergencies arise.

Furthermore, in past school years, MCPS had a policy that permitted schools to give a student an E3, a failing semester grade, to students who had more than five unexcused absences and who didn’t follow an intervention contract with the school.

Now, this is no longer in effect; however, students conceivably may still fail courses if they are not attending because of missing work and assignments. In order for an absence to be considered excused, a written explanation must be submitted by either an eligible student or parent/guardian. Eligible students are defined by students who have reached the age of 18.

Although Sherwood has only conducted one hall sweep since November 10, sweeps will resume after the break, according to Britton. “It’s everyone’s responsibility from the teacher, attendance secretary, counselor, admin, and pupil personnel worker,” stated Britton about keeping students in the classroom.

The MoCo Student

News for Montgomery County youths

MCPS Board of Education continues to consider Excused Absence Policy

Photo Courtesy of Montgomery County Media

Please Note: This post will updated following the Board’s vote on this proposal. 

At the height of youth activism this past year, a striking controversy emerged when Montgomery County students received unexcused absences for attending protests in Washington DC. The Montgomery County Public Schools’ board members have recently addressed this pressing issue by voting unanimously for preliminary approval of a proposed policy change at their   meeting  on September 11.

This policy change would allow students to have three excused absences for attending protests during the school day. However, students would need to receive written permission from a parent, a sponsoring organization, and their school’s principal.

The issue has always existed in schools but was thrust into the spotlight after the Parkland High School shooting in February. Many MCPS students walked out of school and went to the nation’s capital to protest the continuous gun violence. They participated in 17 minutes of silence in front of the White house on March 14, which marked the one month anniversary of the Florida shooting. However, they ended up missing class and therefore received unexcused absences, since schools could not guarantee the students’ safety while they were not on campus.

Walter Johnson (WJ) Principal Jennifer Baker also cites safety as her top priority when arranging a demonstration on the WJ campus during the day of the Parkland school protests.

“We decided here to give students the opportunity to demonstrate and have a voice and to do that here on campus where we knew they would be safe,” Baker said.

She believes it is very important for students to be informed about national and global issues and to be able to fight for what they believe in. Students around the county are very passionate about voicing their opinions and allowing their voices to be heard, and because of this, Baker believes the implementation of this new policy would fit in perfectly with the culture of WJ and our county.

“I think it would blend nicely with the current level of activism that we have here and help students be involved in important topics and become knowledgeable, so I think it would be a good thing.” Baker said.

Multiple MCPS board members have spoken out about the decision, citing the importance of encouraging students to get involved in civic engagement and preparing them to be active participants in our democracy.

Walter Johnson senior Matt Garfinkel strongly believes that students should get involved in protests, as he has attended several himself. He has received unexcused absences, but that did not deter him from standing up for what he believes in.

“I can miss a day of school, but in the grand scheme of things it’s more important to participate in democracy,” Garfinkel said.

While many adults in our country can make an impact in our government and democracy by voting, many kids and teenagers do not have this same opportunity. Therefore, protests are  the perfect tool for students to use in order to feel represented.

“I think a lot of lawmakers think that because we’re not voting constituents, our voices don’t matter as much, but I think sending the message that that’s absolutely false and that we’ll be voting soon enough is an important statement to make,” Garfinkel said.

Bethesda Chevy-Chase junior Susan Collard also feels strongly that instilling the idea that students can still be involved in our democracy, even at a young age, is vital.

“I think that getting involved in protests at a young age encourages future democratic participation, which is very important,” Collard said.

Even though there is widespread for this policy change, there is still doubt about how this plan will actually pan out.

“I’m not sure how it will work in practice, but it’s nice to know the county supports our right to protest,” Collard said.

This is something that has not been put in place before in our county, so people have concerns about the outcomes of the implementation, including student safety and the impact on education, due to missed school days.

The school board will revisit the proposal in early November to make final decisions after they hear the opinions of Montgomery County residents.

Article by Moco Student staff writer Courtney Cohn of  Walter Johnson High School 

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What Students Are Saying About Why School Absences Have ‘Exploded’

Chronic absenteeism has increased in American schools since the Covid-19 pandemic. We asked teenagers what they make of the trend.

By The Learning Network

Nationally, an estimated 26 percent of public school students were considered chronically absent last school year, up from 15 percent before the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the most recent data, from 40 states and Washington, D.C., compiled by the conservative-leaning American Enterprise Institute.

The increases have occurred in districts big and small, and across income and race.

In “​ Why School Absences Have ‘Exploded’ Almost Everywhere ,” Sarah Mervosh and Francesca Paris explain:

The trends suggest that something fundamental has shifted in American childhood and the culture of school, in ways that may be long lasting. What was once a deeply ingrained habit — wake up, catch the bus, report to class — is now something far more tenuous. “Our relationship with school became optional,” said Katie Rosanbalm, a psychologist and associate research professor with the Center for Child and Family Policy at Duke University.

In a related Student Opinion question , we asked teenagers if that explanation resonated with them. Had their relationship to school — and school attendance — changed since the pandemic? And if so, what did they make of this shift?

Many students said, yes, school feels different now. Why? They pointed to remote learning changing their routines, an increase in anxiety and a decrease in motivation, the ease of making up schoolwork online and much more. Read their responses in full below.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the conversation on our writing prompts this week, including students from Central Bucks South High School in Warrington, Pa .; Norwood High School in Norwood, Mass.; and West Salem High School in Salem, Ore.

Please note: Student comments have been lightly edited for length, but otherwise appear as they were originally submitted.

Remote learning made students comfortable with missing school.

I believe that there are two main contributors to missing school too much. The first is online school. Myself included. It was very easy to simply leave the call after taking attendance and the teacher wouldn’t realize. Skipping class was easy and you could still get high grades. Transitioning back to real school, kids still held that true. They knew that they could miss school and still do well because covid taught that to them. The second reason is punishment. When you miss school, nothing happens. Class goes on and you have a little extra homework the next day but that’s it. What is the issue with missing class is a very common thought and it’s true. There is very minimal downside to missing school. When I had surgery, I missed a full week of school and within a day and a half, I was fully caught up again. Missing school has just become all too easy.

— Xavier, Pennsylvania

2020 was when our lives completely changed for the worst. We all had to stay inside and stay separate from each other. It was terrible, not being able to talk to my friends, and seeing the death toll on news constantly rise. However, after a year into the pandemic, I believe students realized the power they now had, including me. Now that I am a highschooler, I am going to admit that sometimes I would just mute my class and do whatever I wanted. School became shorter and easier to pass than ever before. That’s why when we all transitioned back into school, it was weird. We all still wanted to get through class the “easy way,” yet now that we were back, it wasn’t possible. This is why we started increasing our absences. The threat of absence has become weak, students are not as afraid to stay out of school. Furthermore the threat of being infected gave just one more reason to be out of school, for the sake of “preventing others from getting sick,” when in reality you feel fine. That is most likely why the absences in school had an exponential increase.

— Joshua, Pennsylvania

Students feel like expectations are lower than they were before the pandemic.

As a student in high school, I’ve come to realize the horrible state our attendance has been in since the pandemic. The reason can be simplified into one idea: laziness. We are lazy, willing to do only enough to get by, no more, no less. If a student doesn’t need to come to a class to obtain the grade they wish to achieve, then they won’t show up. Classes are not challenging enough to make students feel that they are worth going to. My mom is used to getting texts from me during the school day, begging to be excused from a class where “we’re doing nothing” or, “I already finished the work,” which is true, yet I abuse the opportunity to miss class because I know there will be no greater coincidence, I will still be getting an A. Due to my laziness, I would rather be at home taking a nap than sitting in a class with no greater impact on my life.

— Clara, Salem, Oregon

Since the pandemic, schooling has been focused on getting students caught up to where we’re supposed to be. Consequently, more allowances are made for students who don’t do assignments or don’t even show up. And with the switch to all online because of the pandemic, things have never shifted back. If a student misses a day or even a week, they can easily see what they missed and do it and submit it from home. With this option giving them the exact same grade as it would if they actually went to school, it’s no wonder why students are choosing to stay at home or skipping class. Additionally, the pandemic had heightened anxiety levels in students, specifically social anxiety, making them less likely to show up. The allowances made by the school district for students has created a space for students to be lazy and get away with it. This is fostering a negative impact on student work ethic not only now, but also in the future when this generation will be entering the work force.

— Emma, West Salem High School

The period of school shutdowns got students out of their school routines.

When I think back to virtual learning, my brain automatically goes to how stress free it was. I was in sixth grade when Covid first hit and going through a period of my life where I was extremely anxious at school. I believe that this break is exactly what I needed at the time. However, I do believe that in the long run, this online learning time period got a lot of people into the routine of not having a routine. A lot of people at my school would turn their camera off and fall asleep or go on their phones during online learning. I believe that there were times that I did this as well. I also think that this mindset carried through into the grades where I did not have an online/hybrid option. In eighth and ninth grade, I happened to stay home sick, go into school late, or leave early a lot. I think this is due to me not taking school as seriously due to the grading methods that were being used and how some of my teachers were not grading harshly. Now that I am a sophomore in high school, I think I have finally gotten back into the routine of actual schooling and not staying home sick unless I actually feel extremely sick.

— Madison, Pennsylvania

Before the pandemic and as I was growing up, I was the kind of student that wanted perfect attendance. For some odd reason, it made me feel like a better student if I never missed a day. This included turning my parents down when they offered me to go on trips, even though I was only in fourth grade and the work that I would have missed wouldn’t have made an impact in my academic career. However, after the pandemic school began to feel optional. We felt what it was like to fall out of the routine that going to school was and were never able to fully recover from it. I think that having experienced attending school from your bed, in your pajamas has played a major role in the current trend of students receiving more absences. For me, it made me realize that the “0” next to your number of absences didn’t matter as much as I had once thought. As a now highschooler, the school days are long and every class requires an abundance of work and undivided attention that whenever there is a substitute or not much going on, it is easy to decide to leave school. With senior year approaching, everything’s purpose is college and the fact that colleges aren’t able to see how many absences a student has when they apply, does play a role in the increasing number of absences.

— Ava, Miami Country Day School

Because assignments and other materials are online, students find they can keep up with their classes even if they don’t attend school.

Schools have adjusted rules so much that it makes school feel optional. Don’t want to attend class publicly? Take online classes. Don’t want to take “required” state testing? Opt out. Before, school seemed strict, we didn’t have the option to opt out of tests, we didn’t think of taking online school. Yet now, schools make it so easy to skip because everything is simply online. Our assignments, lectures, and teachers are all online. There are no longer requirements in school. What’s the point of attending if we can graduate without taking state testing or attending advisory — also a requirement, yet I no longer have an advisory because my counselors said I don’t need to take it to graduate. It’s confusing. Students have been enabled for over 4 years now since quarantine started. School doesn’t feel mandatory, it’s optional. I’m currently enrolled into 2 AP classes, so I try my best not to miss school. But it’s inevitable, I get sick, I have family situations or maybe I simply don’t feel like attending school. But I see people skip school like nothing. “I didn’t feel like going” is a constant statement I hear. Not many students have the motivation to attend, and simply don’t go because they have a comfort in their head that they can graduate while missing multiple days of school nearly everyday.

— Olivia, Salem, OR

Current absenteeism rates have significantly impacted my learning experience for the past few years. Since the pandemic, there has been a noticeable shift in the perception of the value of education and whether or not attendance is an important factor in a student’s academic success. In the years following 2020, I found myself struggling to make it to class everyday due to my new found efficiency of working at home with my computer. I felt that even if I was not in class personally, I would be able to keep up with my work easily as it was all online regardless. Due to this I would go on trips or skip class purely because I was under the impression that I would be able to continue achieving virtually.

— Ruby, RFHS

Before the pandemic, my attendance was stable but after the pandemic, my absences were piling on. It was difficult to get back in the rhythm of in person school when I had already done a whole year online, but now my attendance in school is definitely getting better. On the other hand, students in my school tend to miss school and it is a rare sight to see a full class. Some students go as far as showing up to class once a week and just do the classwork online. After the pandemic, schools went from paperwork to all online, which is a big reason why students miss all the time, knowing that school work can just be done at home. It has definitely affected students’ grades and goals in life, but hopefully in the future, absences can lower back down.

— Emily, Atrisco Heritage Academy High School

Going to school, and finding the motivation to have as good an attendance record as possible, now feels like more of a struggle.

As students, we’ve developed a comfort in staying in bed during school without having to get ourselves ready to go outside. We had the ability to wake up five minutes before “school” started to get on our zoom calls. Now, we must wake up an hour and a half prior, and make breakfast and pack lunch, before driving to school. The process is tenuous as the article states, but because we’ve accustomed to a different lifestyle, it just makes this one seem like so much more work. I, myself have noticed my difference in attendance after COVID-19. I used to be very obsessed with perfect attendance, but I had 11 absences in my sophomore year, right after coming back from online school. Nowadays, I’m more lenient on myself when it comes to taking a mental health day, because the process can be overwhelming. School is very important, so of course I try to always come in, but sometimes it can be hard. I have not noticed this trend in the world, as well as with myself until this article. It’s enlightening to know that this had not only an effect on me, but all over the country. Hopefully the rates of absenteeism will decrease as time goes on, because we are the future.

— Anisha, New Jersey

Before virtual learning, I never made much of a habit of not turning in work or showing up for class. It was so much easier then but since virtual learning, it had become incredibly difficult for me to focus as well as keep up motivation to continue school. It was easy to skip and nobody really said much about it so it easily became a bad habit. That bad habit eventually leaked into normal school as well and it always sounds so much easier to break out of than it actually is.

— Tayy, NRHS

As the average high school class skipper (only sometimes), in my personal experience, missing out on classes hasn’t really been because of mental health concerns, but more of just lasting laziness from the pandemic. I feel as though I was relatively hard working in middle school/elementary but after a few years off with only half effort assignments, I have grown to become more sluggish and reluctant when it comes to more advanced work while in school. And it makes the option of missing out on classes because of my own reluctance a lot more appealing.

— Luke, Bali, Indonesia

My schedule during the week is get up, get ready for school, go to school, go home, do homework, go to sleep and then I repeat that everyday for 5 days. As much as I don’t want to dread going to school, it’s exhausting having the same schedule repeated everyday of the week. While in school, you have assignments assigned nearly everyday. I feel as though school has had a change in its meaning because of the COVID-19 pandemic. While in quarantine, we were looking at a screen for the whole day and lacked motivation to get assignments done. When we shifted to in person school again, it didn’t change. I now look at school as a task that I need to complete to shape my future. I need to have all my assignments perfect and turned in on time. The meaning of school has turned into a draining task rather than a place that you look forward to going to.

— Jamisan, Salem, Oregon

Some students face challenges in attending class that may have nothing to do with the pandemic.

I don’t believe that students are skipping because it is so easy to catch up and pass, despite their absences. In fact, I know that a lot of people who skip aren’t passing most of their classes. They do this because their parents don’t hold them accountable, and there is always something deeper going on in that student’s life that makes it that much harder for them to find the motivation to go to class. I don’t think making the classes harder will hold students more accountable, but in fact deter them from going to class at all. If a student is aware that they are failing and doesn’t understand the concept of the class, and the class proceeds to become harder, they are going to quickly become unmotivated to go to class in the first place, feeling out of place compared to the other — passing — students in the class. While I don’t have a solution for this problem, myself, I feel that the problem is much broader than we suspect, and the answer will be a much deeper journey to find.

— Kylie, West Salem HS

Schools can do more to get students back in class.

I attend a French school in London and attendance is closely monitored. Absences have to be justified by your parents or you could get into trouble. I think it’s important to attend school as we did before Covid - because as well as learning the curriculum, it is crucial to socialise with your friends and classmates, which is good for your mental health … I wonder if social media could be a factor? If students did not have access to social media or the internet, would they prefer to be in school with their friends? This increase in absenteeism could affect students’ chances of getting into University when they come to finish school or even their opportunities later in life. Students need to be reminded of this more and more perhaps. School helps you to learn not just about facts but also helps to build your emotional quotient & social intelligence — which are all valuable for life.

— Alexandre 14, London

As a current high school junior, my experiences with skipping have been minimal at best, however, I feel strongly that the reason behind skipping is pretty simple. Students don’t care as much about school and the system encourages it. When faced with the choice of sitting in a class and learning about the Patagorian theorem or hanging out with friends, many students are now choosing the latter. The lack of care or effort being put forth in school doesn’t even affect their grades! This is due to certain classes having minimal grades set at 50%, which is 10% away from a pass. This system is actively encouraging people to put minimal effort into a class just to get a pass and graduate. Removing courses like this would certainly raise the importance of getting the work done. Another solution to this problem would be having attendance as a grade, if your grade depends on you being in classes then most would show up. If you have to show up to class to pass then more students would be inclined to do so. The emphasis is on not bending the knee to people who don’t want to show up to class, not giving them a minimal 50%, we should mark attendance for a passing grade, and letting them fail. If we keep letting students skip with minimal consequences then their attitudes won’t change and thus hinder our students’ growth.

— Henry, Salem, OR

Learn more about Current Events Conversation here and find all of our posts in this column .

Leave of Absence

The University recognizes there are situations when a student may require a leave of absence (LOA). Such leaves are granted for a maximum of one academic year with the exception of leaves granted for military service. The student must meet to consult with their Academic Dean or designee regarding the reason(s) for considering, and the ramifications of, taking a leave of absence. After the initial meeting with the Academic Dean or designee, the student must return the completed Leave of Absence form within 1 week (or 5 business days) with the required signatures: a) the student b) Academic Dean or designee c) Student Financial Services and d) Immigration Services representative (for international students). The Academic Dean or designee will notify the student within 1 week (or 5 business days) upon receipt of the completed form with the finalized LOA requirements via the student’s MCPHS email account. Students who take a leave after the designated add/drop period will receive course grade(s) of W. * For information on a Health/Medical Leave of Absence, please see the Health/Medical Leave of Absence section in the University Catalog.

Return from Leave of Absence

Students returning from a leave of absence must confirm they are returning to MCPHS University with their Academic Dean or designee prior to the following dates:

• March 1 – for a summer or fall semester return
• October 1 – for a spring semester return
• Online students – 30 days prior to the beginning of the semester

Students on a leave of absence are not eligible for University services, with the exception of academic advising. Students who intend to return from an LOA must also review and adhere to applicable school/program-specific policies in addition to the general policy outlined herein. Students who fail to return within the designated time must reapply for admission.

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Mental Health Days May Be Considered Excused Absences At MCPS

The montgomery county school board may give students excused absences for taking mental health days..

Alessia Grunberger , Patch Staff

ROCKVILLE, MD — The Montgomery County Board of Education may give students excused absences for taking mental health days.

The school board on Tuesday passed a resolution that would let the Policy Management Committee examine whether students could cite mental health as an excused absence.

"I know mental health is an issue that a lot of students care about, and it's something that's always been at the forefront," student member Nick Asante, who introduced the resolution,said during meeting. "But I think now more so than ever it's a big concern for a lot of students."

Find out what's happening in Rockville with free, real-time updates from Patch.

Asante's resolution does not change Montgomery County Public Schools' attendance policy, but asks that absences related to anxiety and stress be considered.

The board voted in favor of the resolution, 7-1. Vice President Brenda Wolff cast the lone dissenting vote.

She said the resolution would be "busy work" for the policy committee, adding that parents can already get an excused absence for their child if they call the school and say the student is sick.

"I don't mean to be insensitive in any shape or form, but it seems like busy work for the policy committee because, as a parent, I can write in and say this already," Wolff said. "I also have to wonder if the disability community will take exception to students having to identify mental illness as a reason for being out ill."

Asante explained that this resolution is not necessarily related to diagnosed mental illness, but rather students' self care. He also said that having such a policy is "a statement piece" that would "mean a lot to a lot of students."

The Policy Management Committee will review Asante's resolution and make recommendations to the school board by January 2021.

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Things to do in Moscow: how to visit Moscow | Unmissable, cool & unusual

• September 2, 2023

What are the best things to do in Moscow? What to do in Moscow? First, I will list the main places to visit by theme, passing by the must-sees, but also more unusual places in Moscow. Then, I will describe what to see in Moscow in one day and how to visit Moscow in 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 days. Let’s go!

Good to know. For more information, click on the places to open the dedicated blog posts.

Main places to visit in Moscow & best things to do in Moscow

I worked in Moscow and I loved this city for its dynamism and energy. We find there from time to time to see friends, remember good memories and enjoy this giant city! Then the time has come for us to share with you our practical guide.

TOP 5 must-see places in Moscow

• Moscow Red Square
• St. Basil’s Cathedral
• Cathedral of Christ the Savior
• Bolshoi Theatre

Places of cultural, historical and religious interest in Moscow

• Novodevichy Convent and cemetery
• Tretyakov Gallery
• Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts
• Kremlin Izmaïlovo (pseudo-historic place, recently built in the image of the old, one of the best things to do in Moscow for your Instagram account 😉 )
• Park and ancient village of Kolomenskoye

Visit Moscow of the Soviet era

• Moscow State University and Sparrows Hill
• VDNKh and the Museum of Astronautics, one of the key landmarks of the Soviet era in Moscow
• GULAG Museum
• Metro stations
• The Stalinist skyscrapers, scattered all over the city

Less touristy places in Moscow

• Gorky Park and the GARAGE museum
• The old Krasny Oktyabr factory
• Zaryadye Park
• Center for Contemporary Art, WINZAVOD
• Business center, Moscow City

Main districts of Moscow to visit

• Patriarch Ponds
• Tchistye Prudy
• Kuznetsky most
• Arbat Street

However, regardless of the length of your stay, whether you are going to visit Moscow in 4 days or in 2, you need a visa. The article Obtaining a tourist visa for Russia could then be useful in any case.

What to do and see in Moscow in one day?

List of things to see and do in Moscow in one day:

• Go to Red Square
• Visit St. Basil’s Cathedral
• See Kremlin walls (but not to visit)
• Visit Cathedral of Christ the Savior
• Discover Kuznetsky most districts and see Bolshoi Theatre building
• And if you have time at the end of the day: go to the Sparrows Hill or to the Moscow City for a beautiful view

Things to do in Moscow in 2 days

If you want to visit Moscow in 2 days, there are 2 purposes: do not miss the essential places of Moscow and optimize travel.

• First day: Red Square , Saint Basil’s Cathedral , Zariadye Park, Bolshoi Theatre , Kremlin
• Day 2: Cathedral of Christ the Savior, the former Krasny Oktyabr factory on Balchug Island, Gorky Park, Moscow State University (one of the Seven Sisters buildings ) and Sparrow Hill

As 2 days os really short, be sure to choose an accommodation in the best districts where to stay in Moscow .

Walking on Red Square in Moscow: one of the unmissable things to do in Moscow

Iconic place and one of the must-see places in Moscow and even in Russia! Besides, if there was only one place to visit in Moscow in 2 days, this place would then be Red Square, without hesitation. Therefore, starting the city tour with Red Square is ideal . Several buildings are on the square, but not all of them have to be visited. Check out my blog post about Moscow’s Red Square in detail to learn more and not miss anything.

Visiting Saint-Basil’s Cathedral inside

Even more emblematic than Moscow’s Red Square! Built in the middle of the 16th century under the orders of Tsar Ivan Le Terrible, this cathedral is one of the most beautiful monuments of Orthodox art, and definitely one of the unmissable places in Moscow. Visiting Saint-Basil’s Cathedral inside is one of the most beautiful things to do in Moscow!

• Visit estimate time : 1h30
• Entry ticket : 700 RUB. Tickets can be purchased on the cathedral’s official website 45 days before the tour.
• Audio guide (recommended): 500 RUB
• Opening hours : June to August 10 am-6pm; from November to April: 11 am-5pm; May, September, October 11 am-5pm. Cathedral closed on Wednesdays. Entrance is closed 45 minutes before closing.
• Find out more in the dedicated article: Saint Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow

Take a walk in Zariadye park: one of the coolest things to do in Moscow after visiting Red Square

Zaryadie Park is just a 10-minute walk from St. Basil’s Cathedral, so it’s easy to include in your itinerary if you’re going to visit Moscow in 2 days. From its heights, you can see the red walls of the Kremlin. But, the most impressive point of view is the platform which overlooks the Moskva river. A must see! And clearly one of the coolest things to do in Moscow!

• Open 24 hours a day
• Good to know! Park Zaryadye is also a place to visit in Moscow in winter. Find out more here: What to do in Moscow in winter?

See the Bolshoi Theatre and discover the Kuznetsky Most district

The Bolshoi Theatre is the most famous Russian theater in the world. The most economical way to see a presentation at the Bolshoi Theater is to take the tickets on the theater’s official website in advance, so here is our tutorial to help you: How to buy entrance tickets to the Bolshoi? In addition, several pedestrian or one-way streets

The Bolshoi Theater is the most famous Russian theater in the world. The most economical way to see a presentation at the Bolshoi Theater is to take the tickets on the theater’s official website in advance, so here is our tutorial to help you: How to buy tickets to the Bolshoi? In addition, several pedestrian or one-way streets are located north of the theater. It is therefore very pleasant to find them to leave the main axes of the megalopolis.

Visit the Moscow Kremlin

Visit Kremlin is on top of things to do in Moscow. A place of power for centuries, the Kremlin then shows us a whole different image when viewed from the inside. If you want to visit Moscow in 2 days, the Kremlin is certainly one of the must-see places in Moscow.

• Opening hours : Daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Thursday.
• See our blog post about visiting the Moscow Kremlin

Visit the Cathedral of Christ the Savior

This impressive Moscow Cathedral is the seat of the Russian Orthodox Church. It is a must see if you visit Moscow in 2 days and clearly one of the things to do in Moscow. The Cathedral of Christ the Savior was first built in 1883 in memory of Russia’s victory over Napoleon’s Grand Army. Then in 1931 Stalin ordered its destruction. It was then rebuilt again (identically) only in 2000.

• Where? Ulitsa Volkhonka 15. At the foot of the Kropotkinskaya metro station.
• Opening hours . Daily: 10: 00-17: 00, except Monday: 13: 00-17: 00
• Free entry (some closing restrictions, for example a short)

Good to know! In orthodox religious places, one must avoid excessively uncovered clothing. Women should cover their heads. After visiting the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, you can explore Bolotny Island and Gorky Park. This is one of the routes our guide to Moscow.

The old Krasny Oktyabr factory: one of the coolest things to do in Moscow

If you cross the Moskva River by a pedestrian bridge which is located just in front of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, you will enjoy a beautiful view of the city and at the same time you can discover Balchug Island. Furthermore, if you want to visit Moscow in 2 days, you can include this island in your itinerary between the cathedral and Gorky park. Here is the old confectionery factory Krasny Oktyabr, which has gradually turned into a fashionable micro-district. There are then some elements of street art, cafes and restaurants and some Moscow bohemian side. At the end of the island you can see a gigantic 98-meter-high monument dedicated to the Russian reforming tsar Pierre The Great.

Good to know! You can find on this island are the trendiest nightclubs in Moscow. On weekends, there are taxi caps after midnight so there are so many people. On the other hand, if you go there in winter and during the day, the island is quite empty and less interesting to see.

Gorky Park is one of the TOP places to visit in Moscow, because it allows you to better understand the life of the locals and their rhythm. In fact, it’s a huge entertainment park. For example, in winter there is a giant ice rink and in summer – free dance or yoga lessons, sandy beaches for playing volleyball, an outdoor cinema. So, like the locals, have a Stakantchik (ice cream or cooked corn), and enjoy the atmosphere of the place: that’s one of the interesting things to do in Moscow to discover the city.

• Where? Krymsky Val 9. 20 minutes’ walk from Krasny Oktyabr, along the quays.

Sparrow Hill and Moscow State University

The Sparrow Hill, Vorobiovy Gori in Russian, is the highest point in Moscow. It is rather known to Russians, but less to travelers. A nice view on Moscow opens from the hill, and in particular on the Luzhniki Stadium. In addition, on the hill itself is the Moscow State University: an impressive skyscraper from the Soviet era.

• How to get there? By bus T7 (35 min) from Oktyaborskaya station, near Gorki Park. By metro (Vorobiovy Gorki station) + climb the hill on foot. On foot along the Moskva along the Gorky Park (1h30) + climb in funiculars.

Good to know! It is possible to cross the Moskva river by funicular. We actually tested it and it was pretty cool! That is one of our favorite things to do in Moscow!

What to do in Moscow in 3 days?

If you are going to visit Moscow in 3 days, it would be interesting to dive into the Soviet era which strongly marked the country and the city. After the Bolshevik Revolution, the capital was transferred from Saint Petersburg to Moscow, in order to mark the change of power. Moscow then became the world showcase for communist ideology. Here are the best things to do in Moscow for 3-day-trip!

VDNKh, visit Moscow of the Soviet era

VDNKh is a large exhibition center in the north of Moscow, where there are still several striking witnesses of the USSR. The most interesting are the Museum of Cosmonauts and the Statue of the Worker and the Kolkhozian , which will certainly impress you with its size!

GULAG History Museum

The explanations of the museum are very well done. We really have the feeling of going back in time. If you are going to visit Moscow in 3 days and you are interested in history and this subject in particular, I recommend this museum. Visit the GULAG History Museum is one of the most interesting things to do in Moscow.

Discover the Patriarche Pounds district

It’s a nice neighborhood in Moscow where you can come across rather affluent locals, but not necessarily very bling-bling. Take a walk in this area is really a cool thing to do in Moscow! In addition, the Ponds of Patriarch is one of the places of Bulgakov’s novel “Master and Margarita”. As this is an interesting area to see, we have included it in a walking tour of Moscow. The route ends at the Moscow Kremlin, which is very convenient, because you will be able to visit Moscow in 3 days by optimizing your trips.

What to visit in Moscow in 4 days: TOP things to do in Moscow in 4 days

If you want to visit Moscow in 3 days, you will already see a lot of things. On the other hand, if you stay one more day, you have plenty to do! The Novodevichy Convent, the Tchistie Proudy district and the Izmaylovo Kremlin are very good candidates for you, if you are going to visit Moscow in 4 days.

Visiting Novodevichy Convent in Moscow

The Novodevichy Convent is one of the most brilliant examples of Russian architecture, according to UNESCO. This beautiful complex was built in 1524 and today consists of the convent, but also of a cemetery whose status could be compared to that of Père-Lachaise in Paris. Visiting Novodevichy Convent is one of the great things to do in Moscow, if you want to go a little bit outside of the center!

Discovering Tchistye Proudy district

It’s one of the most popular areas of Moscow, with many cafes, restaurants and bars nearby. It is therefore a place to discover if you want to visit Moscow in 4 days. It is just as pleasant for a stroll as for the discovery of local life. For example, in winter the pond turns into an ice rink.

Visiting the Izmaylovo Kremlin, one of the coolest things to do in Moscow!

The Izmaylovo Kremlin is more of a tourist than a historic place. On the other hand, it is a pretty impressive place to discover, especially on weekends. Inside the Kremlin, there is a flea market where you can find a little bit of everything, but mostly good souvenirs to bring from Moscow. For example, chapka, traditional Russian scarves or matryoshka (Russian dolls). Add the Kremlin and the Izmaïlovo market to your itinerary if you are going to visit Moscow in 4 days, because it is a nice and very colorful place! Visiting the Izmailovo Kremlin is one of the things to do in Moscow, if you want to put colors in your Instagram account! 😉

In 4 days, we will have the opportunity to see several Moscow: Classic Moscow, Moscow of old Russia, Soviet Moscow and a little bit of the new Moscow. So what to visit in Moscow on the 5th day of travel?

What to visit in Moscow in 5 days?

Art lovers will be delighted to discover the Tretyakov Gallery and the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, while others will prefer to stroll along Arbat Street, see the buildings of Moskva-City or visit Bunker 42.

Admiring Russian art at Tretyakov Gallery

Founded in 1856 by an industrialist and great lover of art, the gallery has grown over the decades, and then bequeathed to the state. Today the collection includes more than 140,000 pieces, 15,000 of which are paintings. Visiting the Tretyakov Gallery is one of the things to do in Moscow if you want to discover Russian art!

• Where? Pereoulok Lavrouchinski 10. A 5-minute walk from Tretiakovskaya station
• Opening hours. Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Closed on Mondays.
• Entry tickets. 500 RUB.

Visiting the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts

The Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts presents the treasures of ancient Egypt, the paintings of Rembrandt and Cézanne, a fine collection of Impressionism.

• Where? Ulitsa Volkhonka 12
• Opening hours. Daily: 10: 00-20: 00, except Thursday: 11: 00-21: 00. Closed on Mondays. The boxes close an hour before closing.
• Entry tickets. The prices vary according to the collections from 300 to 750 RUB.

Walking on Arbat Street

All Russians know Rue Arbat. So, walking on Arbat street is one of the things to do in Moscow. However, after the years, little by little it became very touristy. This is a pedestrian street only. There are souvenir shops, restaurants and cafes there, but it is no longer the most authentic neighborhood in the city.

Seeing the buildings of Moskva-City (Moscow City)

Moskva-City is Moscow’s business center, much like Paris’s Defense district. The skyscrapers of Moskva-City are among the tallest in Europe: 373 meters high! Very nice place to see at dusk.

Good to know! You can admire a nice view of Moscow City from the docks of Tarasa Shevchenko. It’s especially beautiful in the evening with all the lights on.

Bunker 42, one of the most unusual things to do in Moscow

Bunker 42 is a secret military complex which was to be used by the Soviets in the event of a nuclear attack: a space of 7000 m² 65 meters underground!

• Where? 5 Kotelnitcheski Lane, 11.
• Prices. 2200 RUB per person
• Opening hours. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Restaurant inside. Original, but rather a tourist trap.

What to visit in Moscow in 6 days or more?

There are still so many places to see, because Moscow is a big megalopolis and there is always something exciting to do there. For example: the ancient Kolomenskoye village or the WINZAVOD contemporary art center .

If you are interested in history and want to see Russian cities on a rather “human scale”, it would certainly be interesting for you to discover the cities of the Golden Ring . For example, it is very easy to get to Sergey Posad from Moscow (less than 2 hours in train). Visiting the Golden Ring is one of the best things to do in Moscow if you are staying more than a 5-6 days.

There are still plenty of places to see in Moscow, however I did my best to list here the best things to do in Moscow, what to see in Moscow in one day, but also in 2, 3, 4 or 5 days in Moscow!

Moscow travel tips:

• Airport transfer: how to go to Moscow?
• Where to stay in Moscow (hotels, districts)?
• Tourist voucher for Russian visa
• Christmas and New Year in Moscow
• What is the best time to visit Moscow?

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• ALL MOSCOW TOURS
• Getting Russian Visa
• Top 10 Reasons To Go
• Things To Do In Moscow
• Sheremetyevo Airport
• Domodedovo Airport
• Vnukovo Airport
• Airports Transfer
• Layover in Moscow
• Best Moscow Hotels
• Best Moscow Hostels
• Art in Moscow
• Moscow Theatres
• Moscow Parks
• Free Attractions
• Walking Routes
• Sports in Moscow
• Shopping in Moscow
• The Moscow Metro
• Moscow Public Transport
• Taxi in Moscow
• Driving in Moscow
• Moscow Maps & Traffic
• Facts about Moscow – City Factsheet
• Expat Communities
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• Blogs about Moscow
• Flat Rentals

Visit Moscow – Top 10 reasons to go

1. moscow architecture.

Saint Basil’s Cathedral

In Moscow you can travel through ages just walking through the streets. Diversified architectural styles wait for you at every turn. To see the beauty of ancient Russian architecture, visit the Kremlin or Kolomenskoe Museum. These places keep the unique Russian style, original and exceptional. The Moscow estates are good examples of the romantic flavor of the XVIII-XIX century’s architecture. The Home-museum of M. Gorky is situated in in a luxurious house built by F. Shechtel, well-known Russian architecture at beginning of the XX century. It is a fantastic example of Art-Nouveau style, one of the few saved places from that epoque, open to visitors. You can find constructivism in architecture, the most striking manifestation of Russian avant-garde, not far from the Arbat Street. The Soviet Empire style can be found on most of the Moscow central avenues and Tverskaya Street. The White Square Business District is a remarkable example of contemporary city building.

2. MOSCOW ART

Inside Garage Museum of Contemporary Art Hall

-> Read our main article about Art in Moscow

-> We also have MOSCOW ART & DESIGN TOUR , available for you

Moscow has a great amount of exceptional museums and galleries. The State Tretyakov Gallery, The Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, The Multimedia Art Museum, Moscow Museum of Modern Art and lots of other museums have unique collections and hold remarkable exhibitions. Lots of Moscow former industrial areas have become interesting cultural spaces, undoubtedly worth visiting. Garage Museum of Contemporary Art, Center for Contemporary Art Winzavod, ARTPLAY Center of Design, Flacon Design Factory are the new city meccas of cultural life. You can find here galleries, concept stores, cafes, educational activities and lots of art events – from designer fairs to concerts, exhibitions of Russian and foreign artists.

3. EMINENT THEATRICAL TRADITIONS

The Bolshoi Theatre

-> Read our main article about Moscow Theatres

Theatregoers have lots of opportunities to spend a wonderful evening in one of the Moscow theatres. Recently renovated Bolshoi Theatre offers world-famous opera and ballet performances. Malyi Theatre, Lenkom, Satirikon, Moscow Art Theatre have wonderful drama plays. You can enjoy one of the modern theatres, such as Practica Theatre, Theatre.doc or Gogol-center, with their contemporary performances.

4. CITY PARKS

The Gorky Park

-> Read our main article about Moscow Parks

The parks have undoubtedly become the pride of Moscow. These city areas have turned into well groomed nature spots, with enormous amount of things to do for the last few years. Have a walk, do the sports, play a board game, meet your friends in one of the cafes and restaurants, watch a movie or go to a concert – all these is available in Moscow parks. The Gorky Park, Sokolniki, Fili and also recently opened Zaryadye – are only a small part in the diversity of Moscow green areas.

5. CRADLE OF ORTHODOXY

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

790 Orthodox churches and chapels and 8 monasteries! Walking through the city center you will see a big amount of beautiful old churches. Practically all Moscow churches and monastic ensembles are functioning. These are unique monuments of Russian architecture. There are significant collections of old paintings and applied arts and the resting place of outstanding figures of Russian and world culture, military and political figures. Monasteries, built at the borders of the city were often called ‘the guards’. Powerful constructions had defensive purposes, and, in case of danger, the residents could take refuge inside the monastery walls. Some of the Moscow ‘guards’ have survived – Vysokopetrovsky, Rogdestvensky, Sretensky, Novospasskiy, Danilov, Novodevichy monasteries and others. Now the ancient fortress cherish the historical past.

6. TASTE IMPRESSIONS

A fish dish at Café Pouchkine

Visitors to Russia are often surprised by the variety and flavors of Russian traditional food. A great many can be described as «divine», and it will have you searching for the recipes when you return home! Russian cuisine is famous for exotic soups, cabbage schi and solyanka, which is made of assorted meats, pancakes with different fillings, and of course, caviar. Russians are great lovers of pelmeni, small Siberian meat pies boiled in broth. Of our folk soft drinks, kvass is the best-known. Made of brown bread or malted rye flour, it goes down best on a sultry summer day. If you add it to chopped-up meat and vegetables, you get okroshka, an exquisite cold soup. There are a lot of restaurants, providing national food. From very budget «Elki-Palki», to numerous luxurious restaurants like «Café Pouchkine». There you can not only taste Russian delicacies, but also plunge into the atmosphere of the XIX century Russia.

7. SPECTACULAR VIEWS

Luzhniki Stadium from Moscow State University by D. Chistoprudov

Here are the places with splendid views over Moscow:

• «Federation Tower» is a set of two high-rise towers, located in the Moscow City Business District. The 61st floor of the Tower West accommodates the highest restaurant in Moscow – «Sixty».
• The main building of the Moscow State University was built in the years 1949-1953 and its total height is 182 meters, with a spire – 240 meters. On the top floor there is a Museum of Geography with a panoramic view of Moscow.
• The observation deck of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior can be reached only in the excursions. There you can get a really exciting view of the Moscow center.
• The building of the Russian Academy of Science is called «golden brains» due to the original constructions of its roof. It stands on the high riverbank and opens a charming view of the whole Moscow. «Sky Lounge» restaurant is situated on the 21st floor.

8. CITY PROMEDATE

Stoleshnikov Lane

-> Learn more about Walking Routes -> Read our main article about City Tours

The main attractions and the most interesting places in the historic city center are within walking distance. Take a walk in Lavrushinsky Lane, Nikolskaya Street, Bolshaya Dmitrovka Street, Rozhdestvenka Street, Kuznetsky Bridge Street, Kamergersky Lane, Stoleshnikov Lane, Stariy Arbat, Maroseyka or Pyatnitskaya. If you don’t want to walk by foot take the city bus or river bus tour. You can choose a red open top double-decker bus that will take you around all of the key sites in Moscow. The total length of the tour is about 12 km downtown and has 18 stops around Moscow including the Kremlin, Red Square, St. Basil’s Cathedral, Bolshoi Theater, Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, The Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Old Arbat walking street and much more. To see the whole beauty of Moscow, have a boat trip at the Moskva River. At spring and summer season the variety of boat excursions are really big, you can travel through the center of the city, or go further to see picturesque nature around Moscow.

9. MOSCOW NIGHTLIFE

Denis Simachev Bar by Sergey Kaluzhniy

Night life in Moscow is divisive as everything else. Bars, clubs, concerts, parties – you can find here anything you want and can imagine. We heart Moscow suggests you some really nice places for you not to get lost in all this splendor.

• Simachev Bar is bar-club by the most famous Russian designer, a two-story house in Stoleshnikov Lane. The music and menu are diverse, as well as the audience. A special drink of the bar is cider «Sidor Simachev».
• Strelka Bar is a nice place with a great atmosphere, quality music, and beautiful interior, very popular among hip and intelligent Moscow public. In summer the terrace opens here and the place gives you stunning view of Moscow.
• Noor Bar is one of the famous bars in Moscow. Come here to try marvelous classic cocktails. Bar snacks are also noteworthy. The atmosphere is always positive and benevolent. On Fridays and Saturdays the bar has music DJ sets, and despite rather little area, there are many desirous to dance.
• Propaganda is one of the oldest clubs in Moscow. Opened back in 1997, it can be considered the same age as Moscow club culture. It is still nice and trendy. During the day time you can enjoy fresh homemade pappardelle, sandwiches on focaccia and steaks. In the evening – dances. On Thursdays it holds DJ Sanches dance party and gay parties on Sundays.

10. MOSCOW REGION

Sergiev-Posad Museum-Reserve

If Moscow is not enough for you, take a journey (of several hundred km from Moscow) and find yourself travelling through the «Golden Ring» of Russia. The Golden Ring is a name for several towns located around Moscow: Suzdal, Rostov, Vladimir are among them. If you want to know more about Russia, see old architecture, churches made of white stone, hear the bell-ring, see old fortifications, be ready to go out from Moscow. The first town of the Golden Ring, is Vladimir, located 179 kilometers to the east from Moscow with 378 thousand people living there. It is an old Russian town, it used to be the capital of Russia in the 12th century. Suzdal is located nearby. It’s an old town, steeped in medieval history, but with little more than 10,000 residents nowadays. Dating back to 990 AD, Suzdal is one of the oldest towns in Russia and the «jewel» of Russia’s history. Today the town is filled with busy churches and monasteries and its streets are lined by colourful traditional wooden houses. Having survived the blight of Soviet town-planning, Suzdal looks much as it did centuries ago and is one of the most popular tourist sights in Russia. Yaroslavl got its name from Yaroslav Mudry, who founded the town in the beginning of 11th century. Now it is a large industrial city, the biggest along the Golden Ring (630 inhabitants), however it has very interesting history, architecture, and city life. If you are tired of sightseeing and want to have some rest from Moscow busy life, you can take a breath of wonderful Russian nature, not going too far, and visit one of the nature hotels and spa situated near Moscow. Places like «Fox Lodge», «Zavidovo» or «Yahonty» are a good variant for relaxing rest, with marvelous nature around you and interesting entertainments for you not to get bored.

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