Showing up to school matters. In fact, students who are present in high school are almost 90% more likely to graduate on time. Unfortunately, only 69% of Ohio students are consistently attending school with 30% of students being chronically absent, and research shows this can leave kids trailing on learning and social skills. This is a crisis in Ohio, across the nation, and throughout the world.

To help Ohio families, schools, and community partners tackle this problem, a team of unique partners—the Cleveland Browns Foundation, Columbus Crew Foundation, Ohio Department of Education, and Proving Ground at Harvard University —joined forces to launch the Stay in the Game, Keep Learning Every Day! Network (Stay in the Game! Network). The Network’s aim: student success, which begins with engaged learners who attend school every day and fully participate in their learning.

For districts that prioritize attendance, primarily in lower-income communities, Stay in the Game! partners to build a data-informed local attendance campaign which serves as a Tier I strategy to raise awareness and create a welcoming school climate focused on positive communications and engagement opportunities.

The Browns Foundation and Crew Foundation also promote attendance messaging statewide to reinforce local campaign messages while providing engagement opportunities for students to keep them engaged and attending consistently.  Players engage with Network partners by recording video messages, visiting classrooms, and spreading awareness. Additional support is given to Network districts to implement attendance interventions and promote engagement, including the installation of turf fields and mini pitches at schools.

In the 2023-24 school year, the Network will partner with 37 districts to impact more than 200,000 students. By 2030, the Network strives to have 90% of all Ohio students attending school more than 90% of the time resulting in an environment where students can reach their full potential.