LPS enrollment grows; out-of-district students help stabilize funding

A preliminary enrollment update prepared for the Littleton Public Schools Board of Education shows good news:   overall, total district enrollment is up 105 students from last year.  The Board heard the report at its regularly scheduled Board meeting September 13, 2012. 

According to Scott Myers, LPS Chief Financial Officer, the early enrollment count shows that LPS retained students well from a year ago.  There are 135 more elementary students this year than last year. This year's kindergarten class is bigger than last year's.  Middle schools decreased by 113 students, due mostly to the fact that a large outgoing 8th grade class was replaced by a smaller incoming 6th grade class. High school enrollment across the district increased by 126, due to a large incoming 9th grade class and increased out-of-district enrollment.

The district continues to attract an ever-increasing number of students from other school districts at all grade levels.  Out-of-district enrollment increased 160 students from last year. “This is good news,” said Myers, “because there are fewer school-aged children living inside district boundaries.  Out-of-district enrollment balances that out and helps stabilize our funding.”  Public schools are funded based on enrollment. 

Currently, 3,013 students attend LPS schools from other school districts and account for nearly 20% of the entire student body grades kindergarten through 12.

The preliminary enrollment count is subject to change. The official student count that serves as the basis for state per-pupil funding takes place from September 24 through October 8, 2012.  Final enrollment numbers will be submitted to the Colorado Department of Education November 9, 2012.  The Board will receive another enrollment report on November 15, 2012.