At Los Alamitos Unified, our goal is to ensure every student has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed. One of the simplest and most impactful ways to make that happen is by being in school every day.

This September, we’re excited to launch our “Attending School is Cool” campaign in recognition of Attendance Awareness Month. When students show up, great things happen for their learning, their friendships, and our schools; When they don’t, the impact adds up quickly for them and for our schools.  

Why Attendance Matters

• Learning: Regular attendance leads to better outcomes in reading, math, and graduation rates.
• Belonging: Students who attend consistently build stronger friendships and feel more connected. 
• Funding: In California, schools are funded based on Average Daily Attendance (ADA), not enrollment. That means fewer students in seats = less funding for students, teachers, programs, and student supports.
• Opportunities: Attendance levels impact our eligibility for state and national recognition and awards.

How School Districts Are Funded

• Funding is based on attendance: Districts receive state funding only when students are physically present.
• Attendance “sticks”:  Attendance rates in one year impact state funding for the following three years.
• Every absence matters: Each missed day reduces available resources for classrooms, programs, and student services.

The Proof is in The Numbers 

What Does This Mean?

• At approximately 95% attendance, our district loses approximately $4–5 million each year in state funding. 
• Just a 1% increase in student attendance rates would bring in $1 million more annually to directly support students, programs, and services. 

How Families Can Help

Did you know students only attend school 180 days out of 365 each year? That’s less than half the year! We’ve designed our school calendar with built-in breaks throughout the school year so families can enjoy time off without missing school. You can help by: 

• Scheduling medical appointments outside of school hours when possible
• Avoiding family trips on school days
• Reaching out to your school if anything is making it hard for your child to attend—we’re here to help.

Every day counts. Every student matters. Together, let’s make every month a time to show up, support one another, and build brighter futures for all our students.