Overview: The Athol-Royalston Regional School District reduced its chronic absenteeism rate from 26.9% to 21.3% between fiscal years 2025 and 2026. ATHOL – Chronic absenteeism in the Athol-Royalston Regional School District has dropped from 26.9% in fiscal year 2025 to 21.3% in fiscal year 2026. Superintendent Matthew Ehrenworth said Athol-Royalston was one of the few districts in the state to reduce its chronic absenteeism rate by five percentage points or more. When attendance concerns arise, school guidance counselors refer families to the district’s Family and Community Center for additional support. According to information provided by school, chronic absenteeism dropped from 40.6% in the 2021-2022 school year to 7.3% in the 2023-2024 school year.