Attendance Innovation: Carver College and Career Academy
When 62.5% of students at Carver College and Career Academy (Chesterfield County Public Schools, Virginia) were identified as chronically absent, the team knew something had to change. But instead of doubling down on punishment, they reimagined what it means to want to come to school.
Carver—a district alternative high school serving students facing academic, behavioral, and life challenges—launched a school-wide initiative focused on engagement, not enforcement. The result? A measurable decrease in absenteeism and a stronger school community.
Here’s how they did it—and what your school can learn:
1. Build a Culture of Belonging During the Day
Carver restructured its Wednesday schedule to include two dedicated blocks for clubs, mentoring, and SEL groups. Students signed up for interest-based clubs, dramatically increasing participation—without requiring after-school availability.
Why it worked: Students with long commutes, jobs, or caregiving responsibilities could engage during the school day. Participation in clubs and mentoring correlated with stronger attendance across the board.
2. Use Student-Led Tracking Tools
Students received a Success Playbook—a workbook where they tracked their attendance, set monthly goals, and reflected on progress.
Why it worked: Students realized, often for the first time, just how much attendance impacts outcomes. Homerooms became spaces for reflection and accountability.
3. Invest in Relationships and Student Voice
From empathy interviews with juniors to ongoing mentoring during homeroom, Carver made relationship-building part of its tiered support system. Teachers received PD on building authentic connections and setting high expectations.
Why it worked: Students felt heard—and responded. After empathy interviews, juniors (who had the worst attendance) improved so significantly they ended up with the best attendance.
4. Offer Incentives That Reinforce Progress
Field trips, raffles, and weekly drawings kept students engaged and motivated—without making perfection the only path to reward. Social media campaigns and school displays helped celebrate improvement, not just perfection.
Why it worked: Students who missed out on one opportunity had a reason to keep trying. Progress was visible and valued.
Want to learn more about Carver College and Career Academy's work to improve student attendance? Tune in on Thursday, August 14 to hear from Dana Dale and 4 other outstanding educators who won a 2025 Attendance Innovation Award!
Explore Our Latest Insights
Stay informed with our recent blog updates.
The Dilemma: Build Your Own Attendance Intervention or Partner with an Expert?
As districts across the country face tightening budgets and an ESSER funding cliff, the difficult conversations around which resources should stay and which must be cut are well underway. Maximizing the amount of days that students are in school and learning is a huge component of the critical learning recovery needed post-pandemic. And while it may be tempting to take on the enormous task of absence reduction in-house, it’s worth reflecting on the costs—financial, time, and risk—when building your own attendance intervention versus working with a partner to implement this on your behalf.
.png)
MTSS Corner: Setting Clear Expectations for Attendance Interventions
Attendance is a critical factor in student success, yet so many districts are still struggling with chronic absenteeism. To effectively combat this challenge, education leaders must rally their teams around clear goals, expectations, and strategies for better attendance. This often involves a multi-tiered approach to student outreach and intervention that helps you stay organized and maximize your impact. Read on for four key components to setting clear expectations for attendance improvement and effective interventions.
Join Our Community of Learners
Stay updated with our latest insights and share your thoughts with fellow educators and parents.
