Attendance Matters

Attendance Matters

Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic success starting in kindergarten and continuing through high school. Even as children grow older and more independent, families play a key role in making sure students get to school safely every day and understand why attendance is so important for success in school and on the job. 

Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school—and themselves. Start building this habit for the first day of school so they learn right away that going to school on time, every day is important. Good attendance will help children do well in high school, college, and at work.

Did You Know
Our goal is for every student to attend 90% of the time or better. Research shows students should miss no more than 9 days of school each year to stay engaged, successful and on track to graduation.

• By 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school.
• By 9th grade, regular and high attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th grade test scores.
• Missing 10 percent, or about 18 days, of the school year can drastically affect a student’s academic success.
• Attendance is an important life skill that will help your child graduate from college and keep a job.

What You Can Do - Make Attendance a Priority
• Talk about the importance of showing up to school everyday, make that the expectation.
• Help your child maintain daily routines, such as finishing homework and getting a good night’s sleep.
• Try not to schedule dental and medical appointments during the school day.
• Don’t let your child stay home unless truly sick. Complaints of headaches or stomach aches may be signs of anxiety.