Princeton City Schools students missed fewer days than the statewide average during the 2025-2026 school year, with a chronic absenteeism rate of 23.5%.

That figure, drawn from Ohio's state report cards released Tuesday, Sept. 15, puts the district slightly below the statewide rate of 23.9%. Statewide, chronic absenteeism dropped from 25.1% the prior year, marking the fourth consecutive annual decline, according to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW).

The improvement amounts to 3.7 million additional hours of learning for Ohio students, ODEW said.

Still, the numbers remain well above pre-pandemic levels. Before COVID-19, Ohio's chronic absenteeism rate sat at 16.7%. The state's goal is 12.8%.

A student is considered chronically absent after missing more than 10% of the school year, or more than 18 days. Ohio law changed for the 2025-2026 school year to count all absences toward that threshold, including doctor's appointments.

Gaps persist at Princeton

Princeton's 23.5% district-wide rate masks wide variation among student groups. Students with disabilities had the highest rate at 30.6%. Black, non-Hispanic students were absent at a 28.9% rate. Economically disadvantaged students, who make up 71.4% of Princeton's 5,556-student enrollment, had a 25.2% rate. White, non-Hispanic students had the lowest rate at 16.8%.

New dashboard gives families a tracking tool

ODEW launched the Ohio Statewide Attendance Dashboard at attendance.ohio.gov, giving families and school leaders district-by-district data to spot attendance problems earlier. Gov. Mike DeWine and ODEW Director Steve Dackin first unveiled the portal on April 15.

Aaron Churchill, Ohio research director for the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, an education think tank, told the Journal-News that the pace of improvement is too slow. At current rates, Ohio would not return to pre-pandemic absenteeism levels for another decade.

"That is unacceptable," Churchill said. "State policymakers must take more aggressive steps, including a stronger report-card mechanism, to ensure daily attendance."

Princeton's broader report card

The district maintained its four-star overall rating, meaning it exceeds state standards, according to Princeton City Schools. Princeton High School earned a record five-star rating for the first time. The district also jumped from three stars to five stars in College, Career, Workforce, and Military Readiness.

Princeton earned five stars in Progress for the fifth straight year. Its four-year graduation rate is 93.4%, and its five-year rate is 96.7%.

Early Literacy is a weak spot. The district received one star in that category, with a 45.7% proficiency rate.

Superintendent Mari E. Phillips leads the district, which serves families across Evendale, Woodlawn, Sharonville and Springdale. Princeton City Schools has not issued a public statement about its attendance data or the new state dashboard.