Marion CSD’s Knight’s Ride:
Strengthening Attendance and Community Connections

Topics:
Trusting Relationships, Integrated Systems of Support, Culture of Belonging and Care
Powerful Student and Family Engagement

Chronic absenteeism is a challenge faced by many schools, but Marion Central School District is taking a proactive approach with an innovative new initiative called Knight’s Ride. This pilot program was developed through a collaboration between administrators, transportation staff, and community schools leaders. The team studied absenteeism rates across the district and identified geographical pockets with higher rates of chronic absenteeism. Using this data, a bus route was carefully drafted to ensure efficiency, keeping the total ride under an hour. 

So, what is Knight’s Ride?

Knight’s Ride is a second-chance bus run designed specifically for students who have a history of chronic absenteeism. Recognizing that barriers such as transportation, difficulty with routines, and sleep disturbances can contribute to absenteeism, this initiative provides students with an extra layer of support. A member of the community schools leadership team rides along, stopping at the homes of absent students to personally invite them to school—without penalty for being late. 

Building Trust and Strengthening Support

Beyond increasing attendance, Knight’s Ride has proven to be a powerful tool for strengthening relationships with families. The personal connections made through this initiative have helped foster trust between parents and staff. Community schools personnel have been able to use these interactions to explain interventions, obtain signed permission slips, identify additional student and family needs, and connect families to important support services.

A Holistic Community Schools Strategy

Knight’s Ride is more than just a transportation solution—it is a unique intervention that aligns with multiple key practices of the community schools strategy:

• Trusting Relationships: Strengthening connections between families and school staff.
• Integrated Systems of Support: Ensuring students and families receive needed resources and interventions.
• Culture of Belonging and Care: Sending the message that every student matters and is valued.
• Powerful Student and Family Engagement: Encouraging attendance while addressing challenges that impact learning.

By offering students another opportunity to get to school and engaging families in meaningful ways, Knight’s Ride is making a difference beyond the classroom. It is a testament to the power of collaboration, care, and innovative thinking.

We look forward to continuing this initiative and assessing its impact on student success. Stay tuned for updates as we explore ways to expand and enhance Knight’s Ride! For more information about Knight’s Ride and how you can do something similar in your district, contact Casey Steiner at csteiner@marioncs.org