Celebrating Attendance Success at National Heritage Academies

We all know that when kids attend school regularly, they learn more, make friends, and build strong habits. But getting to school every day isn’t always easy. That’s why many schools are finding creative ways to make attendance more fun, with rewards that keep students excited to come back. Here’s a look at what some schools are doing and how it’s making a difference.

At Emerson Academy, Student Family Liaison Roniea Dixon is focused on helping families feel connected to the school. One of her newest ideas is Fun Fridays! Students who attend Monday through Thursday get a special treat on Friday, like a fun activity or small prize. It’s a great way to keep kids excited about school.

Attendance Liaison Amanda Main at Quest Charter Academy, says one of their most popular rewards is extra recess. "The class with the highest attendance for the week gets extra recess. Middle schoolers love it because they usually don’t get recess!" Students with perfect attendance can also earn a free dress pass. If an entire class has perfect attendance for five weeks, they win a pizza party—and their teacher gets a remote planning day. Families can join the fun too, with monthly basket giveaways to encourage attendance at home.

Attendance is also important online. At PrepNet Virtual Academy, attendance programs are making a measurable impact—chronic absenteeism is down nearly 10% this year. One of the biggest motivators? Weekly prize drawings for students who attend all of their classes each day. One of the most popular prizes is a burrito blanket. One student who won the blanket used to struggle with participation—never turning her camera on. But after winning, she turned it on to show off her new blanket and kept it on. Now, she’s more engaged, confident, and excited about school.

At Southside Academy Charter School, second-grade teacher Shera LaManna has seen firsthand how better attendance helps students learn. One of her students had 11 tardies and 12 absences in the first quarter. But with a more consistent routine, she’s been able to join important math groups and keep up with lessons. Now that she’s in school every day, she’s more focused and doing great! These stories show just how important it is to be in school every day. When schools and families team up to make attendance a priority, it can have a big impact on a child’s future. If your child is having a hard time getting to school, reach out—schools are here to help!