A Medical Leave of Absence (MLOA) is a planned and approved absence from campus for the ongoing evaluation and or management of physical and/or psychological illness that, in the opinion of the medical director, cannot be adequately treated or best served were the student to remain on campus. A Medical Leave is granted by the medical director in consultation with the School administration, and other appropriate resources as deemed relevant.
In determining the need for a MLOA, school administrators and the medical director take into consideration the various medical, psychological, academic, athletic, social and personal needs and commitments of the student. In addition, the safety and well-being of the student, his/her schoolmates, and the campus community at-large are considered in determining the need for such a MLOA.
The conditions of the MLOA (including the departure date and expected duration, the specific treatment recommendations, any associated administrative actions, and any adjustments/alternations to academic or campus commitments and responsibilities) take into consideration the specifics of the student’s given situation and needs. These conditions are set out by the medical director in close collaboration with school administrators, members of the health services staff, the dean of students, the student’s advisor and/or other pertinent school personnel when indicated. It is the responsibility of the medical director or designated individual to communicate the specific conditions and details of the MLOA to the student and his/her family in a written or verbal manner.
The School, in consultation with the medical director and health services staff, retains the sole right to determine if and when it is in the best interest of the student and/or the school community for the student to return MLOA. If return to school is being considered, the medical director may require written or verbal communication from relevant outside healthcare providers regarding the student’s capability to return to campus. The conditions and requirements of the student’s return are at the sole discretion of the School, made in consultation with the medical director, health services staff, appropriate school personnel, and/or outside advisors. If a student is determined to have satisfied the intentions, conditions, and any recommendations relevant to the MLOA and has maintained the responsibilities, obligations, and/or standards set out in the conditions of the MLOA, the School will determine the student eligible to return to campus. The medical director will communicate with the student and his/her family regarding the student’s return to school and any conditions or requirements relevant to his/her return. The School will work closely with the student and his/her family to satisfy the care plan or needs of the student that developed over the course of the MLOA and to allow for continuation of care upon returning to residence on campus. In addition, efforts to maintain the integrity and timeline of the student’s academic needs will be directly addressed by the assistant headmaster for academics in consultation with the student’s teachers and advisor.
If it is determined that a student is not capable of returning from the MLOA or it is not in the best interest of the school community for a student to return, he or she will be so notified. The medical director and school administrators will work with the student to allow for withdrawal from school in a manner that best suits both the student’s and the School’s best interests.
In the event that the MLOA extends beyond three consecutive school weeks, review of the MLOA will occur with possible reconsideration of the conditions and the parameters of the leave. This review will involve the medical director and appropriate school administrators who will make assessment of the student’s medical needs and of his/her academic standing, with careful attention to preserving and balancing the needs and integrity of both the student and the school experience.
For a student requiring a second MLOA during any given academic year, the School will make a guarded consideration about the student’s eligibility to return to campus and reserves the right to refuse the student’s return to campus for the academic year. Considerations will include assessment of academic standing, persistence of medical or mental health care needs, integrity of the school experience, impact on the school community, etc.
The student and the student’s family reserve the right to refuse the conditions of the MLOA or of the return from the MLOA by withdrawing the student from the School at any time.
All medical details surrounding the MLOA, other than the existence of the medical leave itself, will be considered confidential and thereby shared only with appropriate school personnel on a need-to-know basis. Information surrounding the MLOA will appear in the student’s medical record kept at the Health Center and will not be part of the student’s official academic record or transcript.