(EL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT — Sept. 11, 2026) — Every school day represents an opportunity for students to learn, build relationships, participate in activities and create memories that become part of their educational journey.
That message is at the heart of September's Attendance Awareness Month, a national campaign led by Attendance Works and its partners to highlight the importance of regular school attendance and encourage communities to address the barriers that can keep students from school. This year's campaign carries the message “Your Presence Matters!” and promotes attendance efforts throughout the school year.
For El Paso ISD, the message is not limited to one month. The district has made attendance a year-round priority through initiatives designed to encourage students to be present, engaged and connected to their schools.
“Every day a student is in school is another opportunity to learn, connect with others and be part of something meaningful,” Superintendent Dr. Brian Lusk said. “Attendance is about much more than a number. It is about making sure students have access to the instruction, relationships and experiences that help them grow and prepare for their future.”
El Paso ISD’s attendance resources also help families understand Texas' attendance requirements. For the 2026-27 school year, students must attend at least 90% of school days or class periods to receive course credit or a final grade, as required by Texas law. At the elementary level, missing more than 17 days during a typical school year may affect a student's ability to automatically earn credit or a final grade. In middle and high school, attendance is tracked by individual class periods.
Regular attendance also has implications for school funding in Texas because average daily attendance is used in the state's public education funding formulas. However, for schools and families, the most immediate impact of attendance is what students miss when they are not in class.
El Paso ISD has used a variety of campaigns and challenges to encourage strong attendance by focusing on the positive experiences students gain by being at school.
During the 2025-26 school year, the district's “Right Here. Right Now.” attendance initiative encouraged students to think about the friendships, milestones, accomplishments and memories that can only happen when they are present at school.
The campaign culminated with the “Right Here. Right Now.” End-of-Year Attendance Challenge, which brought together thousands of students and staff during the final weeks of the school year. Students, staff and campuses had opportunities to earn prizes donated by local businesses and community partners, including gaming systems, family entertainment packages, sports experiences and other rewards.
“‘Right Here. Right Now.’ is about more than prizes,” Chief Communications Officer Liza Rodriguez said. “It is about reminding students that when they are present, they have the opportunity to experience the moments that make school meaningful.
The 2025-26 challenge recognized campuses for strong attendance and creative efforts to promote a culture of attendance. Cielo Vista Elementary School, Richardson Middle School, Chapin High School and Don Haskins PK-8 School earned special recognition during the challenge period.
The district also recognized campuses with the highest attendance rates for the 2025-26 school year, including Polk Elementary School, Hornedo Middle School, MacArthur PK-8 School, Coronado High School and Transmountain Early College High School. Bowie High School was recognized as the district's Most Improved Campus, while Guillen Middle School was recognized for its creative efforts to promote attendance.
Supporting Students and Families
El Paso ISD’s attendance efforts also recognize that improving attendance is not simply about asking students and families to show up. Schools must understand and address the challenges that can make regular attendance difficult.
That work includes connecting families with resources and support through the district's Community Schools initiative and Family Resource Centers, which provide families with access to resources such as food, clothing, hygiene items, educational opportunities and community services.
By combining positive attendance campaigns with family engagement and support, El Paso ISD is working to build a culture in which students understand the value of being present and families have access to help when barriers arise.
“Improving attendance takes all of us,” Rodriguez said. “Our schools, families, staff and community partners each have a role to play in making sure students feel connected, supported and ready to learn. When we work together, we give students more opportunities to be right here, right now, where they belong.”
As Attendance Awareness Month continues throughout September, El Paso ISD will continue looking for ways to encourage and celebrate strong attendance while reminding students and families that every school day brings another opportunity to learn, connect and succeed.