Gray and black tiger stripe background, with the words "Every Day Counts, Be here, Excel Everywhere."

The Republic School District's mission is to prepare each student for future excellence through a safe educational environment. We are committed to setting students up for success throughout their educational career and beyond graduation, regardless of the post-secondary path they take. Through that effort, we know the importance of students being in school each day, as they gain new skills through challenging and unique learning opportunities.

With the "Every Day Counts" attendance initiative, which was launched during the 2023-2024 school year, the Republic School District aims to inform students, staff, families and community members about the importance of students being in school as much as possible to learn and grow. As we continue this effort, you'll see information, data and resources shared in various communication platforms across the district. Specific buildings will continue to implement attendance goals and celebrations.

Through "Every Day Counts," we hope to encourage all students to "be here" so they can "excel everywhere."

Watch the video below to hear more about the impact of attendance on a student's development.

What impact does attendance have on learning?

Building a Strong Foundation

Through foundational lessons of math, reading and writing, Early Childhood and elementary students develop key skills that they will build on as they continue through their education.

Did you know? When a student misses school two days per month, they will miss 20 days of school per year, including at least 30 hours of math and 60 hours of reading/writing instruction. In addition, students who miss two days of school per month will miss more than one year of school by the time they graduate. Those numbers are doubled for students who miss four days per month.

For our younger learners, missed school days add up quickly when considering the impact of a student's educational foundation.

EVERY DAY COUNTS Did you know? When a student misses school... days per month They will miss 20 days of school per year. They will miss 30 hours of math & 60 hours of reading/writing. They will miss more than one year of school by graduation. days per month They will miss 40 days of school per year. They will miss 60 hours of math & 120 hours of reading/writing. They will miss more than two years of school by graduation. Be Here, Excel Everywhere.

Republic Student Achievement and Attendance Rates

In the graph, we have provided a comparison between Republic High School (2023-2023) students' Grade Point Average as it relates to their attendance rate. RHS students who had 100-98% attendance had an average GPA of 3.44. As attendance rates decline, so do GPAs. This chart further reflects the importance of being present at school on a regular basis, as it directly correlates to a student's academic achievement.

In addition, we know that students who graduate from our high school will move on to further their education at a college, university or trade school. Some may transition directly into the workforce. Regardless of their path after graduation, attendance will be vital. As we encourage strong attendance, we support our students in their development of good habits for whatever their future holds.

Bar graph showing decreasing GPA scores for students with lower attendance rates

How can I keep track of when my student should be at school?

The Republic School District sends regular attendance-related phone calls to families. Families of all students who miss a day of school will receive a phone call and email that evening to let them know the student was not at school. Students at Republic Intermediate School, Republic Middle School and Republic High School will also receive a call at 10:15 a.m. the day of an absence. The secretaries and administrators of each building will make their own connections with families to check on students who are missing more school than normal.

Attendance Breakdown

The state of Missouri's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education aims for 90% of students to be in school 90% of the time. In Republic, however, the district aims to have 95% attendance for all students throughout the year.

In the school year calendar, we have 170 days of school. If a student misses just five days throughout the year, they'll have 97% attendance. At 17 days missed, that rate drops to 90%. See the graph for more.

Attendance Breakdown graphic showing the number of days a student would miss with varying attendance percentages

"Ideal Dates" Calendar

The Republic School District has created a calendar of "ideal dates" for families to schedule appointments or vacations. Scheduling appointments or vacations on the dates highlighted in orange will help students avoid missing unique learning opportunities at school. The calendar is also available for download here.

Note: The highlighted days on the "ideal dates" calendar indicate days the district is already closed or not holding classes due to breaks, School Improvement Days or holidays.

Calendar of ideal dates for when families could take students out of school for vacations or appointments

Wellness Checklist

While we know the importance of students being in school, we also want to create a safe and healthy learning environment. We understand absences may be required due to illness. We have created a Wellness Checklist, which is available for download here, for families to utilize when considering any symptoms their student might be experiencing before heading to school.

Students should stay home if they have a persistent cough, temperature over 100 degrees, vomiting or diarrhea, pink or crusty eyes, or instructions from a doctor to stay away from others. Students can head to school if they have been without any of these symptoms for 24 hours. We also welcome students who have a runny nose or slight cough, but no other symptoms. These are the procedures by which the Republic School District operated through its wellness policy before the COVID-19 pandemic, and has continued to emphasize in the years since.

If a student is sick and unable to come to school, families should notify their building's front office as soon as possible.

The Republic School District cares about the mental well-being of our students, and we have learned that students who miss school actually tend to feel more anxious and stressed due to falling being. Families can help lower stress on students by encouraging attendance when students aren't sick.

Graph showing when students should stay home depending on symptoms

Advice for Strong Attendance

Here are some tips to encourage strong attendance at home, while setting your student up for success:

  • Lay out your student's clothes and pack backpacks the night before. This can reduce the steps you have to take as a family to get out the door in the morning.

  • Develop backup plans for getting students to school if your normal routine falls through.

  • Minimize screen time at bedtime to promote restful sleep. This can help students feel rested and ready to come to school the next day.

  • Plan trips and appointments outside of school days and hours. Check out our Attendance Calendar listed above!

  • Establish a consistent bedtime and morning routine. The more practice you have as a family, the more efficient you you will be in getting out the door and to school on time.

  • Finally, reach out to school staff for help if your child experiences anxiety that makes coming to school more difficult. Services are available through our counselors.

Attendance Advice

The Republic School District understands families may have additional challenges that serve as barriers in getting their students to school. Building principals will regularly connect with families through various communication methods in order to provide them with the resources and support they need for students to be successful at school and at home. We also have family resources, and contact information for our district's social workers, available here.

More information will be added to this web page throughout the year as we continue the "Every Day Counts" initiative.

We look forward to learning and growing together as we encourage students to "be here" so they can "excel everywhere!"

Orange background with white text that reads "Every Day Counts," then, "Be here, excel everywhere."