At Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, attendance isn’t just about showing up—it’s a cornerstone of their commitment to providing students with a positive school experience while preparing them for the future. When students are consistently absent, they fall behind academically, struggle to stay engaged, and face greater challenges in reaching critical milestones like reading proficiency and graduation. With average daily attendance for the 2023-24 school year of 96.7%, significantly higher than the national average of 74%, Cristo Rey stays rooted in their values of high expectations and support to make this possible.
Creating a community of care
Research suggests that students who connect with at least one trusted adult in school are more motivated than their peers and have a stronger sense of well-being. Cristo Rey makes sure their students are surrounded by supportive adults cultivating a community of care.
From the start, Cristo Rey makes sure families are clear on the expectation of showing up, and works alongside students, building trust and providing support along their school journey.
Dedicated family liaisons consistently communicate with families in both English and Spanish, to ensure every student feels supported. A transportation manager works closely with families to address any issues promptly, making sure every student is able to get to school.
And each student is enrolled in a work study program where they are connected with a site manager, providing supervisory support and real-world accountability. These layers of support help meet students where they are at and prevents any child from getting left behind.
When Elena*, a 11th grade student, struggled getting to school and completing her coursework, Cristo Rey staff contacted her family through phone calls and emails to work together on a solution. However, it wasn’t until the team sat down with Elena to better understand her day to day experiences at home and identify the best person to reach out to, an older sister, that change started to happen. By taking the time to get to know Elena and create the community of connection, Cristo Rey was able to help increase Elena’s attendance and work completion. In 2022, she graduated and is college bound.
*Name changed to protect individual’s privacy
A culture where students want to be
But getting kids to school isn’t just about setting expectations and managing logistics. Students actually need to want to be at school. That’s why Cristo Rey worked with Great MN Schools to strengthen their school culture by integrating Diversity, Equity and Inclusion goals into their Good-to-Great Strategic Plan. Cristo Rey is examining every aspect of school life, from curriculum and staff professional development to student groups and activities, to develop strong cultural competency and improved student experience. This is all done within the context of their Jesuit, Catholic identity to ensure it permeates all aspects of their mission, recognizing that each person is a unique creation of God.
“The partnership with Great MN Schools has been invaluable because it has asked us to take a critical look at ourselves to see what is working and not working. They have allowed us to innovate and think differently.” – Jason Morrison, President
School-wide engagement strategies are taking shape, starting with the formation of a DEI consulting group that participated in the Intercultural Development Survey to set meaningful racial equity goals across departments. Importantly, this work goes beyond the staff level, ensuring students are central to these efforts. In response to student input, a Black Studies elective was proposed and is currently being planned by the Social Studies Department. Activities Director, Stanley Clay, took steps over the summer to foster unity, hosting a Leadership Conference for coaches, team captains, and student leaders focused on bridging cultures and leading with respect across differences.
“I want our kids to feel safe, welcomed. I want them to walk into our school and feel proud.”
– Stanley Clay, Activities Director
Every day in school is an opportunity for students to grow into the person they are going to become. Regular attendance is essential, not only for academic success but for building a sense of belonging and connection. By partnering with families, supporting students’ individual needs, deeply examining their school to identify gaps, and making changes to create a positive school culture, Cristo Rey is setting an example for schools across the country.