At Pioneer Charter School of Science's Everett campus, missing school was rare last year. The numbers show just how rare.

The K–12 school, which draws students from Everett, Chelsea, Revere and other nearby communities, reported a chronic absenteeism rate of 5.3% for the 2025–26 school year, according to the Everett Independent. The school said that ranks 14th lowest in Massachusetts.

What chronic absenteeism means

In Massachusetts, a student is chronically absent if they miss 10% or more of the school year. In a standard 180-day year, that's 18 days or more.

Statewide, the rate was 17.1% in 2025–26, according to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. That's down from 22.2% in 2022–23. Pioneer's Everett campus came in at less than a third of the state rate.

Almost no severe absences

The school also tracks students who miss 20% or more of the year, which the state calls severe chronic absenteeism. Pioneer reported that rate fell from 0.4% in 2024 to just 0.1%, which it said is the second lowest in the state.

"We know consistent attendance is essential to long-term student success," said Barish Icin, the school's CEO.

Strong test scores, too

The school also reported strong 2026 MCAS results. According to the school's figures:

59% of students in grades 3–8 were proficient in English

69% of students in grades 3–8 were proficient in math

68% of 10th graders met or exceeded standards in science, compared with 41% statewide

The school said it was one of 11 Massachusetts districts to fully recover to 2019 levels in 10th-grade reading and math.

Pioneer's model asks a lot of students. It runs a 195-day calendar with extended days, after-school tutoring and optional Saturday classes. Graduates must pass five math and five science courses and complete 40 hours of community service.

It's not the school's first good news this year. In February, the state named both Pioneer campuses, in Everett and Saugus, Schools of Recognition for high achievement, improvement or growth, the Advocate reported.

A point of tension in Chelsea

Not everyone is cheering Pioneer's growth, though. At an Oct. 7 Chelsea School Committee meeting, Superintendent Almi Abeyta said she had sent a letter opposing the school's proposed expansion, which includes early childhood and pre-K seats, according to Chelsea Massachusetts News. Member Sarah Neville said she was drafting one too. The state education department is expected to hold meetings on the proposal this fall.

The issue came up at a meeting about the district's projected budget gap, as Chelsea Public Schools deals with falling enrollment.

What to watch

The attendance rankings and test results were reported by the school. They are based on state data, but the state hasn't published a ranking list of its own.