Skip To Main Content

Attendance plays key role in student success

Photo of students in school
Attendance plays key role in student success

The Snohomish School District's attendance goal is for students to have 95% or higher attendance, which means missing no more than nine (9) school days throughout the year.

A child's daily, on-time attendance is important to his/her success in school. Did you know that as early as elementary school, students who miss just two days per month (which amounts to 18 or more days in a school year) are more likely to fall behind and less likely to graduate high school?

Absences in the early grades add up. How can you help? 

Did you know?

  • Attending school on-time, all day, every day will give your child the best chance of graduating from high school.
  • Starting in kindergarten, missing on average just two days a month, whether excused or unexcused, makes it more likely that your child will not meet academic standards in math and reading by third grade.
  • By 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school.
  • Absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with school work, dealing with a bully or facing some other potentially serious difficulty.
  • By 9th grade, regular attendance is a better predictor of high school graduation rates than 8th grade test scores.

What you can do

  • Don’t let your child stay home unless they are truly sick, such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or a contagious rash.
  • Avoid appointments and travel when school is in session.
  • Keep track of your child’s attendance. Missing more than nine days, excused or unexcused, could put your child at risk of falling behind.
  • Set a regular bedtime and morning routine as well as finishing homework and packing backpacks the night before.
  • Have a back-up plan in place with family members, neighbors, or other parents for getting your child to school in case something comes up.
  • If you are struggling to get your child to school for any reason, we are here to support you and work with you towards possible solutions. Please do not hesitate to contact the school office to schedule an appointment to discuss your child’s attendance.

Student appointments
Parents/guardians and students are encouraged to make medical and dental appointments for non-school hours. When an early dismissal must be made, a note should be presented at the attendance office before school. Elementary parents/guardians should come to the office to pick up their child.

Learn more by visiting www.sno.wednet.edu/attendance.