California school eliminates chronic absence for students facing homelessness
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At Scholarship Prep South Bay in Wilmington, California, leaders implemented a strategy providing basic necessities and community support that resulted in no students experiencing homelessness being chronically absent.
The charter school serves 421 students, including 54 who lack stable housing. School staff provide students with meals, school supplies, hygiene products, and access to washers, dryers, and transportation via Metro GoPass TAP cards. Families receive weekly food boxes and assistance with hotel stays.
The school prioritises a trauma-informed approach, training staff to support children who have experienced hardship and integrating social-emotional learning into lessons. Staff focus on treating families with dignity and respect, offering resources through a family resource center that avoids judgement. Each classroom includes a “rainbow cart” stocked with essential items, and teachers begin each day with a check-in to assess student wellbeing.
California data reveals that 35% of students experiencing homelessness are chronically absent statewide, compared to 19% of all students. Scholarship Prep South Bay’s success demonstrates how addressing students’ basic needs and fostering a supportive environment can overcome these challenges. While spring 2025 test results indicate the school is still working to improve math scores, leaders note that student mobility and high rates of poverty complicate comparisons to other schools.
