Student Enrollments Are Beginning to Level Off

October 2007
Enrollment in public schools overall is declining modestly but is projected to begin increasing again by 2010. The state is currently seeing declining enrollment in the elementary and middle grades, with growth concentrated in the secondary grades. However, enrollment projections predict that growth in the next few years will occur in the elementary grades, and declines will be seen in middle and high schools. Despite overall decline statewide, only about half the counties in California are facing declining enrollment. For example, tiny Sierra County experienced an enrollment drop of 27% between 2001–02 and 2005–06. On the other hand, during that same period, Riverside County increased its K–12 enrollment by about 19%.