How Clean Schools Improve Attendance, Student Success, and Budgets

Did you know that elementary school students experience 5–8 illnesses each year, while teens catch an average of 3–4 colds¹? These frequent illnesses are more than just an inconvenience—they are a leading cause of school absenteeism.

As school leaders gear up for the back-to-school season, one priority is rising to the top: student attendance. But boosting attendance starts long before the bell rings. It begins with a clean, healthy environment. Research shows that clean schools improve attendance, reduce the spread of illness, and protect vital funding tied to daily attendance rates.

 

Chronic Absenteeism Is a Growing Crisis

Chronic absenteeism, defined as students missing 10% or more of the academic year, has doubled in recent years.³ According to early data, during the 2022–2023 school year, over 13 million students (or 27.85%) were chronically absent.⁴

This absenteeism doesn’t just disrupt classrooms. It comes with a staggering cost. Schools in the U.S. are estimated to lose $10.7 billion annually due to student absences.⁵ These financial losses impact:

• State funding tied to average daily attendance
• Teacher-to-student ratios
• Program availability
• The ability to hire and retain staff
• Access to critical classroom resources

For many districts, average daily attendance (ADA) is the basis for how much funding they receive. Whether it's due to illness, inclement weather, or other disruptions, absenteeism poses a direct threat to school budgets.

Use this School Absenteeism Calculator ⬇️ to estimate the potential cost of absenteeism in your school. 

🏫 School Absenteeism Calculator
(Complete the form to download)

Why a Clean School Matters

It is vital for the health and welfare of both students and staff that schools are well-maintained, clean, and offer a secure physical environment.² Clean and properly disinfected learning spaces reduce the spread of viruses and bacteria that can quickly travel through classrooms, hallways, and shared spaces.

When cleaning and disinfection protocols are lacking, the consequences go beyond health as they can impact learning, staffing, and funding.

 

Proactive Cleaning Helps Prevent Absences

To support healthy attendance rates, schools must take a proactive approach to hygiene. That means making cleaning and disinfection a visible and strategic part of the facility's operations.

Here are four essential steps:

1. Target high-touch surfaces like desks, door handles, and shared technology daily
2. Use EPA-approved disinfectants that are safe and effective for school use
3. Support custodial teams with training and access to trusted tools
4. Prepare early for back-to-school and flu season with a year-round plan and backup supply

How BradyPLUS Supports School Success

At BradyPLUS, we help schools go beyond cleaning by providing a total facility strategy designed for long-term success. Our Essential 8 for K12 is a comprehensive approach that addresses eight key operational areas that directly impact safety, compliance, and learning outcomes:

Our partnerships with industry leaders like CloroxPro allow us to deliver high-performance cleaning products like Clorox^® Disinfecting Wipes and EPA-approved sprays—alongside the resources and strategic guidance your school needs.

We work closely with K12 schools to:

• Build custom facility care plans
• Deliver fast, reliable access to products
• Train staff for maximum impact
• Help schools meet health and funding goals

Build a Healthier, More Successful School Year

Improving student attendance begins with improving the learning environment. With BradyPLUS and the Essential 8, your school gains a partner committed to health, safety, and performance from the classroom to the cafeteria.

Take action today to schedule a consultation and start building your custom plan.

Sources:

1. CloroxPro - Brighter Futures Blog
2. U.S. Department of Education - National Center for Education Statistics
3. The Biden White House - Chronic Absenteeism and Disrupted Learning Require an All-Hands-on-Deck Approach
4. Attendance Works - Chronic Absenteeism Data
5. CleanLink - A Closer Look at Hand Hygiene in Schools and Its Impact on Absenteeism