The number of students in Iowa’s public schools for the 2010-11 school year is little changed from last year, according to the official certified enrollment report released today by the Iowa Department of Education. A total of 473,493 K-12 students attend public schools across the state this school year. That represents a decrease of just 0.15 percent, or 734 students, from the 2009-10 school year.
Enrollment in Iowa’s public schools peaked in 1972-73 with 645,000 students. This year marks the fourteenth consecutive year that saw some degree of enrollment decline, although this is the second smallest decline during that period of time. However, based upon current trends in the early grade levels, public school enrollment over the next five years is expected to increase by 2.2 percent.
Of Iowa’s 359 school districts, 225 – or sixty three percent – reported a decrease in enrollment while 133 – or thirty-seven percent – reported an increase. One district in Iowa reported no change in enrollment from the 2009-10 school year.
Several districts in the Greater Des Moines area and the Cedar Rapids-Iowa City corridor have continued to see enrollment growth in recent years. In addition, three of the state’s five largest school districts – Des Moines, Davenport, and Iowa City – reported an increase in enrollment since last year.
Under Iowa law, certified enrollment is used in the formula that determines state funding for public school districts. It is based on the number of students that reside in each school district. It also includes the “weighting” or the additional funding for each student in specific programs, such as students attending post-secondary options while still in high school or students needing assistance in learning the English language. Certified enrollment count is taken on the first day of October every year and official numbers are confirmed by the Iowa Department of Education.
Iowa school districts reporting the largest increases or decreases in the percentage and/or number of students over the past 5 years are:
| School District | 2006-2007 Enrollment | 2010-2011 Enrollment | Percentage Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waukee | 5,076 | 6,680 | 32% |
| Bondurant-Farrar | 1,115 | 1,339 | 20% |
| Sioux Central | 431 | 515 | 20% |
| Dallas Center-Grimes | 1,647 | 1,947 | 18% |
| Ankeny | 7,355 | 8,652 | 18% |
| School District | 2006-2007 Enrollment | 2010-2011 Enrollment | Student Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waukee | 5,076 | 6,680 | 1,605 |
| Ankeny | 7,355 | 8,652 | 1,297 |
| Iowa City | 11,268 | 12,011 | 743 |
| Johnston | 5,396 | 6,095 | 699 |
| College | 3,823 | 4,382 | 560 |
| School District | 2006-2007 Enrollment | 2010-2011 Enrollment | Percent Decrease |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lineville-Clio | 96 | 71 | -26% |
| Farragut | 291 | 218 | -25% |
| Melcher-Dallas | 400 | 301 | -25% |
| AR-WE-VA | 387 | 306 | -23% |
| Exira | 397 | 306 | -23% |
| School District | 2006-2007 Enrollment | 2010-2011 Enrollment | Student Decrease |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | 17,677 | 16,810 | -866 |
| Waterloo | 10,956 | 10,622 | -333 |
| Keokuk | 2,319 | 2,002 | -317 |
| Davenport | 16,492 | 16,183 | -309 |
| Fort Dodge | 4,035 | 3,738 | -298 |
* The districts reported are those that have operated with grades kindergarten through 12 over the five-year period from 2006 through 2010; districts that merged or consolidated are not included.
Comparison of Certified Enrollment by District 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 - This document compares the 2009-2010 and the 2010-2011 certified enrollment numbers of Iowa school districts.
Click here to see the complete 2010-2011 certified enrollment report.
2010-12-14