CCPS Leads Florida with Best Student Attendance in the State

Collier Schools: Top of the Class in Attendance

Collier County Public Schools (CCPS) has earned the distinction of leading the state of Florida for having the lowest percentage of chronically absent students. Florida Department of Education data for the 2023–24 school year places CCPS at the very top out of all 67 school districts statewide.

Why the Early Part of the Year Matters Most

Miss just a few early days, and the rest of the year feels the ripple. Absences in September are especially worrisome—missing 2 to 4 school days early on makes chronic absence five times more likely to occur later in the year.

Early absences—dating back to kindergarten or preschool—can even affect reading ability by third grade, while chronic absence in middle school has a strong tie to eventual dropout risk.

Attendance is a Team Sport

With Attendance Awareness Month in full swing, CCPS doubled down on strategies to keep students present and punctual. Examples include helping families establish routines, preparing for unexpected schedule hiccups, and reinforcing the value of staying connected—even when at home due to illness.The district’s rallying cry? Being “On Time, All Day, Every Day”—and it’s paying off.

CCPS is proof that attendance isn’t a passive metric—it’s active community achievement. With early interventions, family partnership, and a culture focused on presence, our district shows how staying engaged can shape bright futures.