Colorado’s fall public school enrollment has decreased for the first time in more than 30 years as the Covid-19 pandemic prompted families to turn to homeschooling and other options.
The Denver Post reports that the number of students enrolled in preschool through 12th grade totaled 883,281 this fall, a drop of 3.3%, or 29,942 students, compared with fall 2019.
Preliminary enrollment figures released by the Colorado Department of Education show sharpest declines in preschool and kindergarten enrollment, which are down 23.3% and 9.1%, respectively.
The last time overall enrollment dropped was in 1988, according to the education department.
The state’s largest districts were hit hardest. Enrollment in the Douglas County School District dropped 6.4%, Boulder Valley dropped 5.6% and Colorado Springs District 11 dropped 8.2%. Denver Public Schools reported a 3.3% decline in students.
The number of homeschooled children doubled to 15,773, the state reported.
Colorado's enrollment trends mirror other states. throughout the United States.
More than 32,300 students enrolled in online education programs, an increase of 44% compared to 2019. That number includes students enrolled in state-designated online schools (multi-district or single-district) and single-district online programs. It does not include students who are staying enrolled in their traditional school, but learning 100% remotely, the education department said.
