Missouri's Suburban Attendance Rates Remain Above Pre-COVID Levels

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Missouri's chronic-absence data show large increases in four suburban districts between 2018-19 and 2024-25. North Kansas City^↗ rose from 10.2% to 24.2%, Pattonville^↗ from 11.0% to 27.7%, Wentzville^↗ from 11.9% to 20.5%, and Park Hill^↗ from 12.2% to 21.0%.

Two that are still getting worse

A 15-district screen found two districts whose 2024-25 rate was higher than in 2022-23. North Kansas City rose from 22.9% to 24.2%, a 1.3-point increase. Pattonville rose from 24.0% to 27.7%, a 3.7-point increase.

The other two focus districts improved over that latest comparison: Wentzville fell from its 21.8% 2022-23 rate to 20.5% in 2024-25, and Park Hill fell from 23.3% to 21.0%.

Above the statewide rate

Missouri's statewide chronic-absence rate was 17.1% in 2024-25. All four focus districts were above that rate: North Kansas City at 24.2%, Park Hill at 21.0%, Pattonville at 27.7%, and Wentzville at 20.5%.

The package data establish the changes in reported chronic-absence rates. They do not identify which programs, student characteristics, family conditions, or community factors caused the changes, so this article makes no causal claim about the districts' performance.

Data source: Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Detailed code that reproduces the analysis and figures in this article is available exclusively to EdTribune subscribers.

North Kansas City - EdTribune MO - Missouri Education Data

Missouri's Suburban Attendance Rates Remain Above Pre-COVID Levels

Two that are still getting worse

Above the statewide rate