Strive for 5 Attendance Campaign
What it is
Strive for 5 is Unit 5’s school-wide attendance campaign that sets a clear, simple goal: be in school 5 days each week and miss fewer than 5 days all year. The campaign strengthens our district’s work in Student Services (discipline, attendance, SEL) by promoting consistent, positive routines, partnering with families, and reducing chronic truancy so students can learn, belong, and thrive.
Why it matters
Regular attendance is one of the strongest predictors of academic success and graduation. Research shows that by 9th grade, attendance predicts graduation better than test scores, and even a single week of absences increases the risk of course failure. Students who become chronically absent, missing about 10% of the school year, face a significantly higher risk of dropping out.
How Strive for 5 supports students
- Clear expectations: 5 days a week, <5 absences a year is well below the chronic absenteeism threshold to keep students on track
- Whole-child focus: Coordination across attendance, SEL, and fair, restorative discipline so barriers are addressed, and students feel connected, safe, and supported
- Family partnership: Proactive communication and tools (e.g., family coordinators, attendance intervention plans, early warning supports) that research shows can reduce chronic absence.
What families and students can do
- Build consistent morning and evening routines, and schedule appointments outside of school hours when possible.
- Stay in touch with your school about transportation, health, or other obstacles. We are here to help problem-solve early.
- Celebrate attendance milestones and ask for support quickly if absences begin to add up.