An at-risk student is one who faces higher likelihood of academic failure, dropout, disengagement, or leaving school before completing their program. Risk factors can be academic (failing grades, low test scores), behavioral (attendance issues, discipline problems), social-emotional (isolation, trauma, lack of belonging), or environmental (poverty, unstable housing, family challenges).

Identification of at-risk students traditionally relies on objective metrics: absences exceeding thresholds, failing grades in core subjects, or multiple disciplinary referrals. However, more sophisticated early warning systems incorporate student perception data from pulse surveys, recognizing that students often feel disconnected or unsafe before these feelings manifest in grades or behavior.

For charter and private schools focused on retention, "at-risk" extends beyond academic failure to include students at risk of voluntary withdrawal. Research shows that students reporting declining belonging, persistent peer conflicts, or feeling unsupported are at elevated risk of disenrollment even if academically successful. Effective schools identify at-risk students through multiple data sources—attendance, grades, behavior, and student voice—then intervene with targeted support: mentoring, counseling, academic assistance, or family engagement.

The goal isn't labeling students but ensuring no student slips through the cracks without receiving appropriate support.