Is your child missing too much school? Even the best teachers, curriculum, and schools can’t help students if they aren’t there. Regular attendance gives children the opportunity to learn, participate, and keep up with their classmates.
Albuquerque Public Schools marks September as Attendance Awareness Month. The designation began over a decade ago to highlight attendance’s role in academic achievement and future success.
“The simple fact is that we can’t teach students if they’re not in school,” APS Superintendent Gabriella Durán Blakey said.
She said students who miss a lot of school frequently fall behind. Reading, math and other subjects build on lessons from previous days. Good attendance builds habits students need for success in college, careers, and life, where consistent participation matters, she said.
“Chronic absenteeism is a problem that school districts across the country have been grappling with, particularly since the pandemic. Our district hasn’t escaped that trend,” Durán Blakey said.
The year before the pandemic hit, 24.1% of APS students were chronically absent. These learners missed 10% or more of the school year. That figure jumped to 34.2% in the 2022-2023 school year. The district has made modest progress since then, but the rate remains too high. Last school year, 29.8% of the students were chronically absent.
Five Schools With the Biggest Drops in Chronic Absenteeism
Durán Blakey said 59 APS schools reduced their chronic absenteeism rates from 2024-2025 to 2025-2026. In her weekly message, she recognized the five with the largest year-to-year reductions.
- Freedom High School cut its chronic absenteeism rate by 33 percentage points last year, from 91% to 58%.
- Wilson Middle School cut its rate 17 percentage points.
- New Futures High School saw a 15 percentage point decrease.
- E. G. Ross Elementary School drops by 10 percentage points.
- A. Montoya Elementary School posted a 9 percentage improvement.
“Congratulations to the leaders, staff and families from these five schools who made tremendous gains last year, and congratulations to the other 54 schools who improved!’ the APS chief said.
How APS Is Addressing Chronic Absenteeism
Durán Blakey said the district has a team that helps schools use data to identify attendance problems early. The team also connects students and families with resources address underlying issues.
Called the Attendance Support Unit, it falls under the Coordinated School Health Department umbrella. The group recently held its Fall Attendance Conference for principals, counselors, teaching and learning coaches and others who support students.
“We recognize that’s only part of the solution,” Durán Blakey said.
She said she believes APS can boost attendance by fostering a culture of belonging in every school.
Building Belonging Through School Redesign
She added she is particularly excited about the attendance gains observed at Wilson Middle School. The district launched a middle school redesign initiative to create a more student-centered learning environment. The initiative encourages teacher collaboration and groups students based on individual needs and interests.
Wilson was an early adopter of the program and has used the teaming model for two years. The approach has helped the school create a strong sense of belonging.
“Students who feel like they belong are more likely to show up every day,” Durán Blakey said.
She said she wants every student to have a trusted adult at school and know they will be missed when absent. She also wants every student to join a club, team, or activity that builds connections with peers.
“We have the power to foster this sense of belonging within our schools, and we can begin by greeting every student with a smile,” the APS chief said.
