Recognizing Excellence in School Attendance Initiatives
EveryDay Labs is thrilled to celebrate the remarkable achievements of schools committed to enhancing student attendance through innovative approaches. In an inspiring ceremony, the organization honored outstanding districts that have demonstrated extraordinary efforts in improving attendance rates while engaging their communities.
Grand Prize Recipient Recognized
The prestigious Grand Prize was awarded to Menchville High School from Newport News Public Schools for their outstanding initiative. They launched a unique soccer league aimed at improving attendance among English learners. This initiative not only rekindled students' passion for soccer but also enriched their educational experience by teaching valuable life skills, such as teamwork and public speaking. By organizing tournaments on traditionally low attendance days, they saw remarkable improvements in attendance rates, reducing chronic absenteeism among English learners significantly.
Runner-Up Schools Making Impactful Changes
Carver College and Career Academy
In the spirit of excellence, Carver College and Career Academy was recognized for cultivating a supportive and engaging culture. Their structured homeroom programming and multi-tiered attendance initiatives empowered students to appreciate the importance of education. The result? An impressive 53% of students improved or maintained their attendance, leading to increased participation in extracurricular activities.
Clark County School District
Also honored, the Clark County School District has successfully raised awareness about attendance through strategic community partnerships. By collaborating with local businesses and nonprofits, they effectively decreased chronic absenteeism from 36% to 28% by early 2025.
Glendora Unified School District
Recognized for its commitment to family support, Glendora Unified School District implemented professional learning communities and strategic data utilization, leading to a significant drop in chronic absenteeism from 17.5% to just below 8% over the past two years.
Perris Union High School District
The Perris Union High School District stood out for its focused family engagement efforts. Their Parent Engagement Leadership Initiative (PELI) designed Action Teams to foster meaningful connections with students and families. As a result, the district witnessed a notable decrease in chronic absenteeism by nearly 8%, alongside increased family participation in school activities.
The Power of Community Collaboration
The exemplary initiatives undertaken by these districts highlight the profound impact of collaboration between educators, families, and the larger community in driving school attendance. EveryDay Labs acknowledges the innovative ideas that emerged from the hard work of these educational leaders, particularly in Newport News and Glendora, showcasing the creativity that flourishes when the burden of administrative tasks are minimized.
About EveryDay Labs
EveryDay Labs combines behavioral science with effective family engagement practices to tackle chronic absenteeism head-on. Their strategies have helped prevent over 2.6 million absences, translating to more than 1 billion extra minutes of instructional time for students. With their groundbreaking approach recognized by Evidence for ESSA, EveryDay Labs continues to empower schools to optimize attendance efforts districtwide. For further insights, visit www.everydaylabs.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Attendance Innovation Awards?
The Attendance Innovation Awards recognize districts that have implemented creative and effective strategies to improve student attendance.
Who won the Grand Prize for the Attendance Innovation Awards?
Menchville High School from Newport News Public Schools won the Grand Prize for their innovative soccer league initiative.
How did the winning districts improve attendance?
Winning districts implemented various strategies, including community partnerships, special programs, and incentives to engage students and families.
What is the mission of EveryDay Labs?
EveryDay Labs aims to reduce chronic absenteeism through innovative strategies that unite data science and family engagement.
How can schools learn from these exemplary districts?
Schools can draw inspiration from the winning districts by adopting community-focused initiatives and fostering family engagement to improve attendance rates.
