NNPS Chronic Absenteeism Challenge winners are announced
Posted: April 16, 2026
Watkins Early Childhood Center, Sanford Elementary School, Crittenden Middle School and Heritage High School won the Newport News Public Schools Chronic Absenteeism Challenge that was conducted throughout the month of March.
The Attendance Team will deliver a banner to each school in recognition of this achievement.
NNPS students focused on the importance and benefits of attending school daily as the school division kicked off its Every Day Counts -- We Need You Here division-wide attendance initiative with numerous activities in March.
The Chronic Absenteeism Challenge focused on measurable improvement and collective action. Elementary, middle and high schools each had the opportunity to win the challenge by demonstrating the largest reduction in their current chronic absenteeism rate during the month.
Watkins showed the largest improvement with a 10.9% drop in chronic absenteeism. Second among the winners at each level was Sanford with a 6.56% drop, followed by Crittenden at 4.72% and Heritage with a 4.59% drop.
“We also saw strong division-wide progress, with our March chronic absenteeism rate decreasing by 13% compared to February, which is a considerable drop and a great indicator of the impact schools are making through the Every Day Counts campaign,” said Attendance Specialist Jeremy Wall.
Students in all grade levels participate in the Every Day Counts program. During its initial kickoff in March, schools participated in the attendance challenge, distributed attendance pledge cards, created materials to promote attendance, and participated in an elementary school design challenge.
Students explored ways to connect attendance to their learning, goals and well-being. The program will bring school communities together to find long-term ways to combat chronic absenteeism, which is when a student misses 10% or more of the school year, and to set students up for success.
