Successfully Bringing Students Back into Classrooms: Alhambra Elementary School District
All-hands-on-deck strategy helps Phoenix school district tackle chronic absence
Alhambra Elementary School District implemented a two-tiered approach to address a spike in chronic absence that was caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This comprehensive strategy has produced encouraging results in just two years: chronic absence dropped from 62% during the 2021–2022 school year to 43% in 2023–2024. The district’s impressive results stem from a mix of data-driven initiatives, parent education efforts, a suite of student support programs and resources, and strategic community partnerships.
YEAR ONE: Establishing a Foundation of Support
In the first phase, the district established attendance improvement teams at each school, prioritizing a culture of support and individualized attention for students.
Teachers and staff, with assistance from the Valley of the Sun United Way and the National Coalition for Improvement in Education, identified students who were consistently absent and paired them with a caring adult—such as a teacher, principal or administrator—who provided regular check-ins and encouragement.
Chronic absence is exacerbated for students who lack basic needs, so the district’s Family Resource Center enables counselors and social workers to offer food boxes, hygiene kits and clothes while the Wesley Community & Health Centers provides free weekly medical services to families. An eye clinic also supported students by offering free exams and glasses.
YEAR TWO: Strengthening Engagement with Parents
The second phase focused on deeper parental engagement and fostering trust. Teachers initiated caring conversations with families, asking non-punitive questions to try to uncover and address attendance barriers.
“It’s all about having empathetic, inquisitive talks—‘Tell me about your child’ or ‘What do you hope for your child’s future?’” explained Colleen O’Toole, the district’s Student Information System Analyst.
Building on its success, the Alhambra Elementary School District has joined a statewide coalition to reinforce a central message: Every minute in school matters. Through this thoughtful, two-tiered approach, Alhambra Elementary School District has shown how a community driven strategy can effectively combat chronic absenteeism and create lasting change.
Partner spotlight originally published in "Still Missing Too Much School" research.