Chelsea schools report steady elementary attendance and a drop in high‑school dropout rate

District staff presented monthly and year‑to‑date attendance, dropout and student mobility figures and offered a brief personnel update.

Dr. Tamara Blake Canty reported that May daily attendance for grades 1–8 ranged from 92 to 93 percent and that the year‑to‑date average for those grades was about 92 percent. For grades 9–12, May attendance averaged 79 percent and year‑to‑date attendance was 81 percent. Kindergarten and pre‑K attendance for May and year to date were both reported at 90 percent.

The district reported 77 students had dropped out thus far for the school year, compared with 134 dropouts in school year 2023–24; the presenter read a drop from 7.24% last year to 4.21% this year. "We're keeping and sustaining our students despite the challenges we are currently facing," the presenter said.

Staff gave May mobility counts by school level: at the Early Learning Center there were 4 students in and 3 out; elementary schools had 9 in and 10 out; middle schools had 7 in and 2 out; and high school had 9 in and 14 out. The district total for May was reported as 29 students in and 29 students out. From September to the report date staff read that the district had recorded 723 students in and 578 students out, a net difference of 145 students.

In a brief personnel update, the district said recent hires were 50% Caucasian and 50% Hispanic. Enrollment as of June 2 was read at approximately 6,112 students.

Superintendent Dr. Hector Abeyta thanked the presenter; staff said the superintendent will share academic outcome data in the fall when the metrics are ready.