If you’re anything like me, you’ve hit that point in the school year where the newness has worn off, and you’re starting to notice more empty seats in your classrooms. Attendance is one of the biggest factors in student success, but let’s be real—getting kids to school consistently isn’t always easy. The reasons behind absenteeism vary, but no matter what type of school community you serve—whether it’s a low-socioeconomic or affluent school—there are strategies that can help keep students showing up every day. Here are some that have worked for me over the past few years.
1. Create a School Environment Where Students Want to Be
At the end of the day, if kids love coming to school, attendance takes care of itself. We all work hard to make school engaging, but sometimes it’s the little things that make the biggest difference. Here are some simple but effective ways to build a culture that keeps students coming back:
- Greet EVERY student with enthusiasm at the front door, cafeteria, and classroom.
- Learn every student’s name—and use it often.
- Foster a sense of belonging through student leadership roles and responsibilities.
- Create a classroom atmosphere that makes kids feel seen, valued, and excited to learn.
2. Schedule Popular Events Before Holidays and on Early Release Days
We all know the struggle—right before a holiday or early dismissal, attendance takes a nosedive. Instead of fighting it, lean into it! Plan exciting events—assemblies, field trips, annual events—on those days. When students know they’ll miss out on something fun, they’re much more likely to show up.
3. Tailor Messaging to Your Unique School Community
Not every attendance message works for every family. Different communities respond to different motivators, so knowing your audience is key:
- For low-socioeconomic schools: Emphasize the benefits that come with daily attendance, like access to free meals, support services, and one-on-one time with teachers.
- For affluent schools: Money talks! Highlight the financial impact of absences—how much funding the school loses per missed day—and emphasize instructional hours lost.
- For all schools: Incentives work. Whether it’s classroom competitions, recognition programs, or small rewards, a little motivation goes a long way.
4. Use Incentives and Recognition Programs
Kids love recognition, and let’s be honest—so do parents! A few ways to celebrate strong attendance include:
- Monthly awards for perfect or improved attendance.
- Raffles for students who meet attendance goals.
- Class-wide rewards when attendance is high.
- Special privileges like extra recess or a fun activity for students with great attendance.
5. Strengthen Parent and Community Partnerships
Improving attendance isn’t just a school effort—it’s a team effort. Building strong relationships with families and the community makes a huge difference. Here’s what’s worked for me:
- Start communicating about attendance from day one—and keep the message going through newsletters, social media, and parent meetings.
- Don’t wait until attendance is a problem—pick up the phone and build relationships early. A phone call is much more personal (and effective) than an email home.
- Partner with local businesses to sponsor attendance incentives.
- Offer support for families struggling with attendance barriers—sometimes a simple “How can we help?” opens the door to finding solutions.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, improving attendance isn’t about punishing families or pressuring kids—it’s about making school a place where students want to be and helping families overcome obstacles that stand in the way. When we focus on relationships, engagement, and the right messaging, we create an environment where showing up every day becomes the norm. And when kids show up, they thrive!
TEPSA member Alana McClure has been the proud elementary school principal at Buffalo Gap Elementary for 5 years. She is dedicated to creating a school culture where students thrive and educators feel valued. With a background in early childhood education and a passion for advocacy for public education, she leads with intentionality, focusing on strong relationships, high expectations, and student-centered decision-making.
