As schools across the district heighten their focus on student attendance, several Team Duval schools are making remarkable strides. The 2024-25 academic year saw some notably improved attendance figures, with certain schools reporting substantial double-digit percentage increases. In an effort to uncover the secrets behind these successes, we turned to the principals of Pickett, Cedar Hills, and Northwestern elementaries, who shared their hands-on strategies and approach to fostering an environment that paid off in spades, as reported by Duval County Public Schools.
Principal Violet Stovall revealed to Duval County Public Schools that Pickett Elementary School has decreased absences by 10%, attributing this achievement to a transformative school culture that gives students a reason to attend every day. At Pickett, celebration is a universal practice, and good attendance fetches pop-up events, monthly certificates, and public praise. The strategy extends beyond the school walls, with teachers reaching out to parents after a student misses a couple of days and school officials conducting home visits weekly. "The thing is letting them know we do care, and we need them there," Stovall emphasized. Numerous students with prior attendance issues demonstrated academic improvements, confirming the link between consistent attendance and academic success.
Delving into Northwestern Legends Elementary, which saw chronic absences plummet from 61% to 37%, Principal Kimberly Brown shared the winning 'whole child' strategy. "I think the kids felt like we cared a lot about them, and so they did their very best this year," Brown told Duval County Public Schools. The school utilized early release days to foster connections with families, going on door-knocking missions to inquire about absent students. Another popular component was the monthly "Atten-dance," a concept that entertained students who met attendance benchmarks. Pairing these efforts with community partner support, Northwestern Legends enjoyed a dual victory in attendance and student confidence, the latter seeing a noteworthy rise.
Cedar Hills Elementary witnessed an overall attendance upswing of 18%, and Principal Marva McKinney credits a clear focus on continuity and inclusion. According to Duval County Public Schools, McKinney implemented a method where identifying regularly absent students was integral to building relationships and engaging families through regular communication. Cedar Hills also invited parents to events like "Safari to Success" to discuss the vital connection between regular attendance and academic growth. A bi-weekly review of absences enabled the school to provide targeted interventions, ensuring ongoing awareness and attention from staff.
