Going to school on time, every day, is important! Consistent attendance will help children do well in school, college, and work. Good attendance is missing not more than 1 day of school a month, whether excused or unexcused.

When attendance is good, they do well in school! Regular attendance ensures that:

• Preschoolers build skills and develop good habits for showing up on time
• Elementary students read well by the end of 3rd grade
• Middle & high schoolers stay on track for graduation

When do absences become a problem?

• Satisfactory: 9 or fewer absences means your student can keep up and keep learning!
• Warning Signs: 10 to 17 absences in a school year mean your student will miss a lot and struggle to keep up!
• Chronic Absence: 18 or more days in a year (2 days a month) is enough to warrant meeting with the student and your family to discuss any challenges that we may help overcome.

Too many absences—excused or unexcused—can keep students from succeeding in school and in life. Students who miss more than 1 school day a month become at risk for longer-term challenges.  For example:

• Half of the students who miss 2 to 4 days in September, go on to miss nearly one month of school;
• Chronically absent (2 days a month) students are more likely to drop out of high school;
• Chronically absent kindergartners score 20 percent lower in reading and math in later grades;
• Student absences in 8th grade are 8 times more predictive of 9th grade course failure than test scores;
• Chronic absenteeism is the strongest 6th grade predictor of not graduating from high school.

That’s why if your student has two unexcused absences in one month, state law (RCW 28A.225.020) requires that schools schedule a family conference with the student to identify barriers and supports available to ensure regular attendance.

We know that there are lots of challenges to getting to school on time. NTPS promises to track attendance daily, notice when your student is missing from class, and reach out to you or your students to help overcome any challenges that arise, including health and transportation issues.

Families get their kids to school! The student learns the importance of attendance from their family!

• Make attendance the expectation
• Use early release or days off to schedule appointments if possible
• Set a regular bedtime and morning routine & schedule
• Prepare for school the night before

• Read the Student Rights & Responsibilities Handbook
• See what the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction has to say
• A national organization called Attendance Works
• Chapter 28A.225 RCW - COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AND ADMISSION
• RCW 28A.225.020
• RCW 28A.225.010