Northwest Middle School Reduces Absenteeism

Northwest Middle School Andrea Seminario credits making students feel included and a targeted intervention system for reducing chronic absenteeism at the school from 42 percent to only 10-12 percent.  

The school has embraced the Ron Clark Academy’s house system. All students and adults in the school belong to one of four houses, Isibindi, Nukumori, Rêveur and Sollevare. Each house has its own color, symbols, nation of heritage and history. The system is intended to create a positive climate and culture for students and staff. Houses compete against one another for rewards. A house with the lowest absences, for instance, is rewarded with a field trip or a party at school.

If students start racking up absences, the attendance secretary checks in with their parents and offers assistance. If things don’t improve, the secretary schedules appointments for the student and their parents with a school counselor. They set goals and establish a meaningful reward for the student if they meet the goals. If the absences persist, the student is referred to school administrators.

Reducing the school’s rate of chronic absences has been hard work but the rewards are substantial because teachers, administrators and staff spend their time helping students reach their academic and social goals instead of laboring just to get them in the door.

Read more about the school’s efforts in the Deseret News.