Getting kids to school every day — and on time — isn’t always easy. Between transportation issues, work schedules and the occasional mental health day, many families face real obstacles.
At Quest Charter Academy, a K–8 charter school in Taylor, school staff understand these challenges and are stepping up with compassion, creativity and consistency.
We talked with Amanda Main, Attendance Liaison at Quest, to learn how the school partners with parents to support daily attendance and keep students connected.
Her job isn’t just tracking who’s in class and who’s not — it’s about building relationships with students and families to help everyone succeed.
Communication helps prevent problems before they grow
While state guidelines define how many absences tip into truancy, Quest works proactively to encourage attendance before problems grow. That means connecting early and often, especially when patterns of tardiness, early pick-ups or absences emerge.
“Sometimes I’ll say, I remember last time we talked, your student had a mental health day, or your car broke down — did you get that part fixed? Because it’s really important for your student to come to school,” Main says.
Removing barriers through community connections
Like many families at schools in metro Detroit, transportation is one of the most common barriers to attendance at Quest. Main works closely with the school’s social worker to help families navigate options, such as:
- Connecting to local daycare programs that provide drop-off and pick-up
- Free breakfast and lunch at school, with breakfast served before class
- Community transportation referrals in cases of financial hardship
Breakfast is a big hit with students, says Main, and it helps fuel their morning. “The kids pass by the breakfast line on their way to class, and they can just grab something and go,” she says.
Making attendance fun and rewarding
To build a positive culture around showing up, Quest uses creative, consistent incentives to celebrate attendance, including:
- Extra recess for the class with the highest weekly attendance
- Cookies or brownies on Wednesdays for students with perfect weekly attendance
- Monthly raffles for students and families with strong attendance
- Free dress days for students who meet attendance goals
“We’re saying thanks for getting your kids to school every day,” Main says. “It shows the kids that we’re paying attention and that it matters.”
Recognizing effort, even when it’s not perfect
And for students who don’t quite hit perfect attendance? They’re still seen and valued. Main makes sure kids with just a few absences are included in special events, like:
- A hot chocolate party for students with six or fewer absences
- Social support groups for those who arrive late or leave early
- One-on-one time helping with school incentives or classroom support
“They start to think it’s their fault they’re not getting awards,” she explains. “But it’s not. So I try to give them something special, too.”
Parents play a vital role in school success
Quest’s culture of care extends to its parents. A strong volunteer group called the Parent Pact helps with everything from popcorn days to after-school clubs.
Parents also partner with teachers and staff to create a school experience that feels welcoming and personal.
“We have parents who aren’t even related to the kids in a classroom, but they come in and ask them about their day,” Main says. “That’s what makes us a family.”
Whether it’s a free breakfast, a quick check-in phone call or a cookie on a Wednesday, Quest Charter Academy is proving that small, intentional acts of partnership make a big difference.
When kids know that someone notices when they show up — and that it matters — they’re more likely to walk through the doors again tomorrow.
This article is sponsored by The Center for Charter Schools at Central Michigan University. Learn more about Quest Charter Academy.
