Every Day Counts: How Showing Up Shapes Your Child’s Success

Written by: Tania Villalon, Parent Engagement Coordinator

We know mornings can be busy, schedules can be tight, and life happens. Still, one of the most powerful ways families can support their child’s success is something simple but important: helping them be at school every day.

Research consistently shows that regular school attendance plays a major role in how children learn, grow, and thrive over time.

What Good Attendance Really Means

Missing school occasionally is expected. Children get sick, and family needs come up. What makes a difference is how often absences happen over time.

Education research shows that missing about two days a month may not feel like much, but over a school year it adds up to 18 days. Students who miss this much school are considered chronically absent, which has been linked to learning gaps and lower academic performance.

Why Showing Up Matters Especially in the Early Years

When students attend school consistently, they are more likely to:

• Keep up with reading and math

• Feel confident participating in class

• Develop strong learning routines

In the early grades, attendance is especially important. Studies show that students who miss too much school in elementary years are less likely to read on grade level by third grade, an important milestone connected to long term school success.

Attendance Today Shapes Tomorrow

As students get older, attendance continues to matter. Patterns of frequent absences in middle and high school are strongly linked to difficulty graduating on time.

Even one year of chronic absence can increase the risk of falling behind or becoming disengaged from school. Schools use attendance trends as an early signal to provide support and help students stay on track.

School Is About More Than Academics

School is not just about lessons and grades. It is where children build friendships, connect with caring adults, and access important supports like meals, counseling, and academic help.

When students miss school often, they can begin to feel disconnected from classmates and the school community. Health and education experts now recognize regular attendance as an important part of a child’s overall wellbeing.

How Families Can Help And How We Can Help You

No one expects perfect attendance. The goal is to avoid patterns of frequent absences when possible.

A few helpful tips:

• Aim for no more than a few absences a year, and watch for patterns like missing a day or two each month

• Schedule appointments outside school hours when you can

• Plan family trips during school breaks

• Reach out if your child is feeling anxious, struggling with transportation, or facing other challenges

If something is making attendance difficult, please let us know. Schools and families work best when we partner early to problem solve and support students.

Our goal is the same as yours: helping your child feel confident, connected, and successful. When families and schools work together around attendance, students benefit now and in the years to come.

Every day really does count, and together we can make each one matter.