The state Department of Education released enrollment figures today that show the overall number of students dropped for the 14th consecutive year. The numbers released by the department from their October survey of schools confirm that statewide enrollment dropped 280 students, to 473,213.
The report says 218 of 251 school districts reported a drop in enrollment. The head of the Department of Education, Jason Glass, said during a recent budget hearing that enrollment would be dropping slightly, despite early projections that it would increase slightly.
Council Bluffs lost the most students in the last year, 92, followed by Glenwood with 87, and Fort Dodge with 82. Over the last five years the Cedar Rapids School District has lost the most students, dropping 968.
Fort Dodge, Keokuk, Newton and Council Bluffs were the others near the top in lost students in the last five years. The Des Moines, Iowa City and Waukee school districts reported the largest increase in number of students in the last year.
Waukee also saw the largest increase in enrollment over the last five years, upping the district head count by 1,623.
See the full enrollment report here: Enrollment 2010-2011 PDF