Massachusetts Charter Schools Outperform Attendance Averages
Two regional schools report lower chronic absenteeism rates than the statewide average for the 2025-26 school year.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Secondary Education
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Data from the 2025-26 school year shows that Foxborough Regional Charter School and New Heights Charter School of Brockton both maintained chronic absenteeism rates below the Massachusetts statewide figure of 17.1%. These findings highlight a positive trend compared to the post-pandemic peak of nearly 30% seen in 2022.
Why it matters
Building strong family partnerships and fostering a college-going school culture are key strategies for reducing barriers to consistent attendance. These efforts help schools stay closer to the pre-pandemic baseline of 13% chronic absenteeism.
Chronic absenteeism is officially defined as missing at least 18 days during a standard 180-day school year. The 2025-26 statewide rate of 17.1% remains elevated compared to the 13% rate recorded prior to the pandemic.
The players
Foxborough Regional Charter School
This Massachusetts-based charter institution reported an absenteeism rate of 10.4% for the recent academic year.
New Heights Charter School of Brockton
Located in Brockton, this charter school recorded a 15% chronic absenteeism rate and is currently working toward a goal of zero absenteeism.
The details
Schools utilize early, proactive communication with families to identify and address barriers that prevent students from attending class. By focusing on academic drive and school culture, these institutions attempt to minimize the number of students missing 18 or more days of instruction.
Timeline
2022: Massachusetts experienced a record-high chronic absenteeism peak of nearly 30%.
2025-26 school year: The period used for current statewide chronic absenteeism data.
Culture Shift
Current school attendance figures mark a progress milestone as educational institutions attempt to return to the 13% pre-pandemic chronic absenteeism baseline. This represents a significant pivot from the 2022 post-pandemic peak when nearly 30% of students were chronically absent.
Parents and families can expect continued emphasis on early communication protocols when students approach the 18-day absence threshold. These institutional practices are designed to ensure consistent daily participation and student success.
The takeaway
Maintaining consistent attendance is often driven by strong family partnerships that address the root causes of student absences. Families looking to support student success should engage early with school communication programs when unexpected absences occur.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Secondary Education across the state.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Enterprise.
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