GIBSON CITY — Director of Student Services A.J. Richard presented student attendance data for the 2024-25 school year to members of the Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley school board during their monthly meeting Wednesday, May 21, showing a projected chronic absenteeism rate for GCMS of 13.5% to 16% — well below the national average of 25%.
As defined in the Illinois School Code, chronic absenteeism means a student missed 10% or more of the school year, either excused or unexcused.
“What that really means is our kids are coming to school at a much higher rate than most,” Superintendent Jeremy Darnell said. “Attendance is the biggest determiner for student success — outside of instruction — so it was a big reason we routinely have had one, two or three (of our school) buildings given exemplary status (by the Illinois State Board of Education).
It’s because our kids come to school. It makes it easier for us to teach them when they’re here.”
The attendance data was for all students who were enrolled at GCMS’s three schools this school year, with the exception of pre-kindergarten students and others who were not enrolled for at least 134 calendar days. The data showed that, among 936 students districtwide as of May 19, an estimated 28 to 39 had perfect attendance; 54% to 56% attended 95% or more of the total attendance days; 84%-86% attended 90% or more of the total attendance days; and 94.5% to 96% attended 85% or more of the total attendance days.
At the elementary school, the chronic absenteeism rate was estimated at 11% to 15% — anywhere from 10% to 14% below the national average. Among the elementary school’s 444 students, an estimated 16 to 20 had perfect attendance, with 53% to 57% attending 95% or more of the total attendance days; 85% to 89% attending 90% or more of the total attendance days; and 95% to 97.5% attending 85% or more of the total attendance days.
The middle school had a chronic absenteeism rate ranging from 15.5% to 17% — 8% to 10% below the national average. Among its 213 students, an estimated five to six had perfect attendance, with 55% to 57% attending 95% or more of the total attendance days; 82.5% to 84.5% attending 90% or more of the total attendance days; and 92% to 95% attending 85% or more of the total attendance days.
The high school’s chronic absenteeism rate was estimated at 13% to 16%, anywhere from 9% to 12% below the national average. Among its 279 students, seven had perfect attendance, with 55% to 57% attending 95% or more of the total attendance days; 84% to 86% attending 90% or more of the total attendance days; and 95% to 96% attending 85% or more of the total attendance days.