Attendance Awareness

Holly Area Schools recognizes that families and schools share a common goal: helping every student succeed. Regular school attendance is one of the most important ways we can work toward that goal together, and we are committed to supporting families in this effort.

According to the Michigan Department of Education, 27.2% of Michigan students were chronically absent during the 2025-26 school year. Chronic absence is defined as missing 10% or more of school days. Over a full school year, that is about 18 days, or approximately 2 days per month. Because these absences are often spread across the year, they can accumulate without being noticed.

Chronic absence includes both excused and unexcused absences. We understand that some absences, such as those due to illness, cannot be avoided. Our focus is not on the reason for an absence, but on making sure students have the support they need to stay connected to their learning.

Research from Attendance Works shows that consistent attendance matters at every stage of a student's education:

• Early grades: Only 17% of students who were chronically absent in both kindergarten and 1st grade were reading proficiently by 3rd grade, compared to 64% of students with good attendance.
• Middle grades: By 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three early warning signs that a student may be at risk of not completing high school.
• High school: By 9th grade, attendance is a stronger predictor of graduation than 8th grade test scores.

Beyond academics, regular attendance helps students develop confidence, friendships, responsibility, independence, and a sense of belonging within the school community!

We understand that regular attendance can be difficult for many families, and that there are often meaningful reasons behind absences. Challenges related to transportation, health, anxiety, daily routines, or other circumstances can affect any family. Understanding these challenges allows us to work with families to find solutions that fit their needs. If your family is facing any of these challenges, please reach out to our Parent Outreach Program to get connected to resources and support. We are here to help!

This school year, Holly Area Schools is implementing new processes to identify attendance concerns earlier and to connect with families in a supportive, collaborative way. Our goal is to listen, understand each family's circumstances, and work together to help students be present, engaged, and ready to learn!

Families are their children's first and most important advocates, and we value your partnership. If your family is experiencing challenges with attendance, or if you have questions, please contact your child's school. Our staff is available to help! When families, schools, and the community work together, every student has a stronger opportunity to succeed.

Remember: Present Today. Ready Tomorrow!

Parent Resources

Getting your child to school on-time, every day, unless they are sick, is something that you can do to ensure your child has a chance to succeed in school. While others can help, you are the bottom line. You can promote good attendance when you:

1. Establish and stick to the basic routines (going to bed early, waking up on time, etc.) that will help your child develop the habit of on-time attendance.
2. Talk to your child about why going to school every day is critical and important unless they are sick. If your child seems reluctant to go to school, find out why and work with the teacher, administrator or after school provider to get them excited about going to school.
3. Come up with back up plans for who to turn to (another family member, a neighbor or fellow parents) to help you get your child to school if something comes up (e.g. another child gets sick, your car breaks down, etc.).
4. Reach out for help if you are experiencing tough times (e.g. transportation, unstable housing, loss of a job, health problems) that make it difficult to get your child to school. Other parents, your child’s teacher, principal, social worker, school nurse, after school providers or community agencies can help you problem solve or connect you to a needed resource.
5. If your child is absent, work with the teacher to make sure she or he has an opportunity to learn and make up for the academics missed.

Attendance in Early Grades

Build the Habit of Good Attendance - Elementary

Keeping your Child on Track for Attendance - MS and HS