District 112 is reporting an enrollment increase for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the annual preliminary enrollment report presented to the Eastern Carver County School Board Nov. 12, Executive Director of Finance and Operations David Brecht said the district saw a 27-student increase in kindergarten through grade 12. Enrollment stands at 9,016, compared to 8,789 for the 2023-24 academic year.
“I think this is a really strong sign,” Board Director Tim Klein said. “This is the most encouraging report we’ve seen in five years.”
Klein noted that rising test scores and solid marketing efforts have helped improve the public’s perception of the district.
School Board Chair Jennifer Stone agreed.
“People are coming for what we’re offering,” she said. “It’s going to turn around.”
Despite significant numbers of new homes being built throughout the district, more school-aged children are not necessarily moving in, Brecht said.
Board Director Joe Scott said much of the new housing is relatively expensive and may not be affordable for young families. Also, many of the new developments cater to senior citizens, who don’t have kids at home.
“The mix is changing,” Brecht agreed.
Board Member Angela Erickson also noted that couples may be delaying starting a family due to economic concerns, thus contributing to smaller numbers of incoming kindergarteners.
According to historical figures, the district stood at a peak of 9,641 students in 2019-20, but then dropped significantly for the next four years (9,278 in 2020-21; 9,183 in 2021-22; 9,071 in 2022-23; and 8,789 in 2023-24).
Brecht told the board that dropping enrollments are not an issue unique to Eastern Carver County Schools. Overall public-school enrollment across Minnesota has decreased by 23,000 students since 2019-20.
Large graduating classes, coupled with smaller incoming kindergarten classes, have helped fuel the recent enrollment decreases in District 112, Brecht said. He added that the district expects at least two more years of downward enrollment pressure due to fewer kindergarteners.
One positive trend is that more students who live outside the district are open-enrolling into District 112, he said. A total of 521 non-resident students have chosen to enroll in Eastern Carver County Schools, a jump of 63 from last year. That’s the highest open-enrollment total ever for the district, Brecht added.
More good news comes from growing enrollment at various class levels, as students return to District 112 schools or new students move into the area.
According to the report, a total of 8,495 students who live within the district boundaries are enrolled so far this year. That’s a 140-student jump in the district’s “capture rate,” according to Brecht.
Students have numerous quality educational options nearby, leading to District 112’s capture rate dropping over the past five years from about 75% to about 69%. Of the 12,292 school-aged children in Eastern Carver County, 3,797 attend school elsewhere. Homeschooled students total 314; charter school students account for 619; other public schools 1,465; and non-public schools 1,399.
