Health challenges, transportation barriers, and work/caregiving conflicts are driving chronic absenteeism across San Antonio

When students miss school, they miss far more than class — they miss opportunities to learn, connect, and thrive. Today, Futuro San Antonio released a new citywide report highlighting the top reasons students miss school and the urgent need for coordinated local action to remove these barriers.

“Families are telling us loud and clear: attendance isn’t just a school issue — it’s a citywide issue shaped by health, transportation, housing, and economic realities,” said Daiana Lambrecht, Executive Director of Futuro San Antonio. “When leaders across our city work together to address these challenges, our children can show up. This report gives us a roadmap built directly from the voices of parents and caregivers. Now it’s time for action.”

Over the fall, Futuro San Antonio parent leaders held listening circles with more than 100 community members representing every part of the city — parents, educators, caregivers, and youth. The organization also surveyed more than 500 parents and caregivers of PK–12 students to understand what keeps children from attending school regularly.

The findings reveal a clear pattern:

   – 55% of parents say illness or ongoing medical needs keep students home — the most common reason across all neighborhoods. 

   – Transportation obstacles — including unreliable bus routes and long commutes — affect nearly a quarter of families, especially on the East and West Sides. 

   – Work and caregiving conflicts challenge nearly 1 in 5 households. 

   – Mental health and anxiety are significant, with 23% of parents reporting their child experiences school-related anxiety. 

   – Housing instability also plays a major role for many families.

The report outlines concrete steps parents want local leaders to take, including expanded before- and after-school programs, increased mental health services, free transit passes for students, and improved bus routes.

The report also emphasizes that improving attendance is not about blame — it’s about designing systems that support families. Futuro San Antonio will continue to partner with parents and advocate for cross-sector solutions that help every child show up ready to learn.

To read the full report or take the #ShowUpSA pledge, visit: www.FuturoSanAntonio.org/ShowUpSA

Media Contact: Sayda Mitchell-Morales, Director of Communications, sayda@futuro-sa.org