Eagle Point Elementary reports improved attendance, new STEM lab and strategies to cut chronic absenteeism

Eagle Point Elementary School leaders told the Board of Education that the school is emphasizing high-impact teaching strategies, STEM instruction and attendance improvements as part of a plan to lower chronic absenteeism.

Principal Jared Fox and home-school coordinator Kenny Griffin presented the school's goals and early results. Fox described two instructional priorities ' high-impact teaching methods to increase student discourse and Tiered System of Support (MTSS) approaches for both academics and behavior ' and noted the school had recently converted a classroom into a hands-on science lab.

Fox said the school currently enrolls about 312 students and reported demographic percentages: 32% white, 29% Black, 16% Hispanic and 12% Asian. He said 45% of students are economically disadvantaged and the multilingual learner population has increased.

On attendance, Griffin reported a current overall attendance rate of about 93% and said the school hopes to raise that to at least 95% this year. Fox said chronic absenteeism was 31.6% in February 2022, fell to 22.8% last year, and the school's new goal is to get below 20%.

Fox described student-focused initiatives including a science lab with an aquatic plant-fish exhibit, a "Just Run" program and field-day projects co-designed by students. He said a recent change from a STEM night to a STEM day produced higher participation.

Board members asked follow-up questions; several members praised the attendance gains and the school's student-engagement work. The presentation was part of the district highlights section of the meeting and board members indicated they will continue to monitor attendance and related outcomes.