McKinley Middle School Launches New Program to Tackle Chronic Absenteeism

McKinley Middle School, part of the McKinley Technology Education Campus in Northeast Washington, D.C., has launched a new initiative aimed at reducing chronic absenteeism among its middle school students.

The school has partnered with Concentric Educational Solutions, an organization that uses community members to conduct home visits and family outreach for students who have stopped showing up to school. Rather than relying on automated calls and messages, the program puts trained staff face-to-face with students and families to better understand what's keeping kids out of the classroom.

"Our mission at McKinley is to develop the whole child and prepare them for success in their postsecondary and career pursuits, but that is not possible if they are not in school," said Principal Kortni Stafford. "By engaging families directly, we are moving past simply counting absences and instead are actively addressing the real barriers to learning."

Under the partnership, Concentric staff will visit the homes of McKinley students identified as chronically absent—defined by the U.S. Department of Education as missing 10% or more of school days, or roughly 18 days in a typical school year. During those visits, teams will work with families to identify specific obstacles to attendance, whether those are transportation problems, health issues, family circumstances, or other challenges.

The program also includes a research component. Concentric's Head of Research and Howard University Professor Dr. Ivory Toldson will analyze data gathered during family engagements to help the school better understand the patterns and root causes behind student disengagement. That research is then used to shape the school's intervention and support strategies going forward.

Chronic absenteeism became a growing concern during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the American Enterprise Institute's Return 2 Learn Tracker, the national rate jumped from roughly 15% before the pandemic to 28% in 2022. As of 2024, that figure remains elevated at 24%.

For McKinley, which emphasizes rigorous STEM programming and career preparation, keeping students consistently in school is central to delivering on that promise. The school serves students across Northeast D.C. and prides itself on connecting young people to high-quality academic and extracurricular opportunities.

The partnership is the latest in a series of similar collaborations Concentric Educational Solutions has established with school systems around the country. The organization has previously worked with districts including Ecorse Public Schools in Michigan and Little Rock School District in Arkansas.

For families with students at McKinley Middle School who have questions about the program, contact the school directly through the DC Public Schools website.