While chronic absenteeism continues to rise across Mississippi, Natchez Early College is being recognized for standing out from the trend. The school is among 130 across the state to receive the Lieutenant Governor’s Attendance Award for maintaining strong student attendance and keeping chronic absenteeism rates at or below 15 percent.
Other local schools earning the recognition include Jefferson County High School, Jefferson County Middle School, and William Winans Middle School in Wilkinson County.
Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann announced the honored schools Monday, praising educators and families for their commitment to keeping students in class despite statewide challenges.
“Regular attendance is one of the strongest predictors of academic and life-long success,” Hosemann said. “Chronic absenteeism is rampant in our state. These schools, their teachers, and families are making daily efforts to ensure students are present and learning. Their hard work deserves recognition.”
According to the Mississippi Department of Education’s 2024–2025 report, the statewide chronic absenteeism rate increased from 24.4% to 27.6%, meaning more than one in four students were chronically absent. Despite that rise, the schools honored by Hosemann maintained attendance rates well above the state average.
Reducing chronic absenteeism has been one of Hosemann’s key education priorities, and he said that focus will continue heading into the 2026 Legislative Session. His upcoming proposals include:
•Placing a School Attendance Officer in every district,
•Raising salaries for those positions, and
•Lowering educational requirements from a bachelor’s degree to an associate’s degree to help fill the roles.
He also highlighted plans for a teacher pay raise and incentives to encourage retired educators to return to classrooms.
Schools recognized this year span every region of Mississippi and include elementary, middle, and high schools. Each will receive a certificate of recognition from the Lieutenant Governor’s Office.
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