Posted on: 09/17/2025

Tackling Student Absenteeism Issues: Murphy Elementary School District

How an AZ school district uses parent communication, technology, positive feedback to boost attendance

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, 21% of students districtwide were considered chronically absent, a figure that surged to 62% during the 2021–22 school year as students returned to in-person learning. Through targeted efforts, Murphy Elementary School District has reduced this rate to roughly one-third of students, and district officials are optimistic about continued progress in the coming years.

Central to this success is the Murphy Elementary School District's emphasis on building strong relationships with parents. Principals regularly host coffee sessions with parents where they reinforce the importance of consistent attendance and even drive students to school and back when transportation is an issue.

“The minute we leave school to pick up a student, parents understand that education is important to us," said Erika Mancilla, principal at William R. Sullivan School. "They appreciate that, and they know we’re serious.”

“As we’ve made student attendance a priority within our district, we have also seen a coordinated increase in performance. If the students are not there, they obviously can’t learn.”

- Nate Dettmar, Murphy Elementary School District Superintendent

To further support families, the Phoenix school district also provides school uniforms—an essential resource that prevents some students from staying home—and celebrates attendance milestones with rewards like pizza, ice cream, and nachos.

Additionally, a district committee focusing on enrollment and attendance prioritizes building positive, consistent relationships with parents. A digital communication tool connects school communities through photos, videos, and other messages. The district offers mental health support, tutoring, mentorship programs, and after-school enrichment to address students’ needs holistically.

Collectively, these efforts have led to not only better attendance rates but also academic gains. During the 2023–24 school year, all three Murphy schools earned a “B” letter grade for the first time under Arizona’s A-F grading system.

Looking ahead, Murphy aims to reduce chronic absenteeism by 5 percent annually across all grades, with a particular focus on grade 3, a pivotal learning year.

Partner spotlight originally published in "Still Missing Too Much School" research.