Alachua County Public Schools adopted a 94% attendance goal as part of its effort to curb chronic absenteeism. In recent years, nearly every school in the district has met that goal, including those most at risk.
Howard Bishop Middle School (HBMS) reached a 92% attendance rate during the 2024–25 school year. To keep students excited about coming to school, administrators introduced two new programs this year — Freestyle Friday, a pep rally with music, dancing and games, and the Student of the Month program, which recognizes three students from each grade who exemplify SOAR: safe, on task, accountable and respectful.
“These are incentives that support school attendance, but they also support building the whole child while they’re at school, building their confidence, giving opportunities for them to engage in activities on campus,” said Tiffany Martin, regional executive director of Children’s Home Society of Florida (CHS)…