Chronic absenteeism drops across Kanawha County, with one school standing out

“It’s not always the students’ fault, or the families just not valuing education," Mary C. Snow West Side School Principal Destiny Spencer said. "I do believe that they value education." 

KCS Attendance Director Kim Legg, at the district's Aug. 21 Board of Education meeting, said Mary C. Snow led the school system in terms of improvement, with their school making a 12.65% decrease in chronic absenteeism. So, what did they get right?

Previous KCS-led initiatives had already shown some results. Last year, a 3% improvement during the 2023-24 school year brought the district’s chronic absence rate down to 23%, meaning nearly one in four students still missed at least 18 days of class.

To address the issue more directly, Legg worked this past school year with school principals to develop a tiered system of care within schools. Under the district’s new System of Support plan, principals are required to make “meaningful contact� — such as a phone call, video conference or home visit — with a student’s guardian after three unexcused absences. Periodic check-ins then help staff identify the specific factors keeping children out of school and provide targeted support.

The policy took effect in July 2024 after the passage of Senate Bill 568. Under its new rules, the number of parent notes were capped at 10 per year, compared to previously unlimited parent notes. Now, parents can only send 10 handwritten notes to excuse student absences. Plus, acceptable absences are also limited to issues such as illness. 

A successful approach to attendance

Spencer, the Mary C. Snow West Side principal, said she and the school’s guidance counselor were at an attendance conference in Morgantown last year when they were encouraged by officials to try new strategies in their district. They leaned on "The School Leader’s Guide to Tackling Attendance Challenges" by Jessica and Randy Sprick, tailoring the book’s recommendations to meet the needs of their students.

“Chronic absenteeism isn’t just about missing school — it’s often a symptom of deeper challenges like poverty, unstable housing, or health issues,� Spencer said. “Regular attendance builds a sense of belonging, strong relationships and long-term habits that help students succeed in school and beyond. When students come to school every day, they’re more likely to graduate with their peers and be prepared for future success.�

The school followed the district's guidance and created a layered system of support. Staff met regularly with students struggling to attend, helping them identify barriers — like transportation, motivation or personal challenges — and brainstorming ways to keep them engaged and in school.

Additionally, Title I funding was used to support Saturday professional development sessions where staff collaborated on new strategies to improve attendance.

Mary C. Snow also created a series of incentives that differ from just a perfect attendance recognition. Instead, they gave children weekly attendance goals with small prizes. That way, if they missed one or two days in a week, they could start over and still get a prize the following week.

“We tried to do a lot of incentives and veer away from punishment. Filing truancy [charges] was just a very, very last resort,� Spencer said. “We just tried to find the barriers to break down and then get students excited to come to school.�

Weekly attendance incentives included small celebrations such as popsicles, 20-minute dance parties, and even lunch with ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin for those who attended school for a week straight. At the end of the school year, students with eight or fewer absences were rewarded with a limousine ride.

Overall, Spencer credits the entire Mary C. Snow community to the success of reducing chronic absenteeism. 

"I wish people knew how powerful a community response can be, because schools can’t solve absenteeism alone," she said. "It takes families, teachers, social workers, community partners working together to address barriers that keep kids out of school. Making students feel valued and supported will make a huge difference. Chronic absenteeism isn’t just about a statistic. It’s a story about students who need connection, supports and positive reasons to come to school."

Countywide ratings

Here are the 2024-25 chronic absenteeism ratings by school, with the top school performing with the fewest chronically absent students:

Elementary schools

1. Ruthlawn
2. Holz
3. Kenna
4. Overbrook
5. Montrose
6. Mary Ingles
7. Alum Creek
8. Andrews Heights
9. Shoals
10. Nitro
11. Weberwood
12. Point Harmony
13. Lakewood
14. Pinch
15. Bridgeview
16. Sissonville
17. Ruffner
18. Kanawha City
19. Elk Center
20. Alban
21. Flinn
22. Piedmont
23. Chamberlain
24. Cross Lanes
25. Mary C. Snow
26. Clendenin
27. Richmond
28. Sharon Dawes
29. Belle
30. Dunbar Primary
31. Central
32. Anne Bailey
33. Pratt
34. Malden
35. Dunbar Intermediate
36. Cedar Grove
37. Chesapeake
38. Edgewood
39. Midland Trail

Middle schools

1. John Adams
2. Horace Mann
3. South ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä
4. Hayes
5. Andrew Jackson
6. East Bank
7. Sissonville
8. McKinley
9. West Side
10. Elkview
11. Dupont
12. Dunbar

High schools

1. George Washington
2. Herbert Hoover
3. Capital
4. Sissonville
5. St. Albans
6. Nitro
7. South ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä
8. Riverside