WINDHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS SLASHES ABSENTEEISM; LAUNCHES 60-DAY CHALLENGE
Following Governor Lamont’s praise of the state’s LEAP initiative, WPS data highlights district attendance gains
WILLIMANTIC, Conn., August 20, 2026 – Wednesday, Governor Ned Lamont and Connecticut Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker held a news conference highlighting the profound success of the COVID-era Learner Engagement and Attendance Program (LEAP) in reducing chronic absenteeism statewide. Windham was one of the 15 participating school districts. The progress of Windham Public Schools didn’t end there.
The Windham Public Schools 2025-2026 data reveals a steep plunge in district-wide chronic absenteeism.
In just one year, Windham Public Schools recorded an 8.0 percentage-point district-wide decrease in chronic absenteeism, falling to its lowest rate since 2020. Achieved by unifying the community under one clear message: "School is Better With You Here."
Key Attendance Milestones:
Windham High School (WHS): Slashed its absenteeism rate by 21.4%
Natchaug School: Achieved lowest absenteeism rate since 2017
Sweeney School: Decreased absenteeism by nearly 10%
The turnaround was accomplished through a foundational strategy prioritizing three core areas: Attendance & Engagement, High-Quality Instruction, and Culture & Climate. The district successfully cultivated an environment where students felt safe, connected, and valued.
"Students need to be in school to learn, and our multi-tiered approach of partnering with families, redefining our instructional vision, and prioritizing school climate is delivering measurable results," said Superintendent Dr. Iris Gomero.
Capitalizing on this momentum as students prepare to return to classrooms on Thursday, August 27, 2026, Windham Public Schools is immediately putting its "School is Better With You Here" message back to work. For the upcoming 2026-2027 school year, the district is officially launching a district-wide 60-Day Attendance Challenge for both students and teachers. The initiative is designed to solidify positive habits from the very first day of school, recognizing that the first two months are the most critical indicator of long-term academic engagement and success.
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