Reasons for School Absence in Past Month, by Level of School Connectedness

Year(s): 2017-2019

Santa Maria Joint Union High (School District)Percent
Reason for AbsenceHighMediumLow
Didn’t Miss Any School47.0%41.3%34.5%
Illness (including respiratory and dental problems)23.2%21.4%18.5%
Felt Very Sad, Hopeless, Anxious, Stressed, or Angry0.0%0.1%0.3%
Didn’t Get Enough Sleep0.6%0.8%1.6%
Didn’t Feel Safe at School1.4%1.7%2.0%
Had to Work0.0%0.0%0.3%
Had to Care for or Help a Family Member or Friend1.3%1.2%0.3%
Wanted to Spend Time with Friends Not from School0.1%0.2%0.5%
Wanted to Use Alcohol or Drugs0.1%0.2%1.1%
Was Behind in Schoolwork or Unprepared for Class0.2%0.3%0.2%
Was Bored with or Uninterested in School0.3%0.8%2.0%
Was Suspended0.8%0.8%0.6%
Other Reason10.6%9.4%8.2%
Two or More Reasons14.2%21.8%30.0%