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Index: Education / Subcategory: K-12

Enrollment - Public Schools

Date updated: 02/07/2012

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A public school is an elementary or secondary school supported by public funds which provides free education for children of a community or district. Pre-kindergarten (PK) is not a mandated educational program in Colorado, nor is it fully funded by the state. However, PK programs are funded in part through the Colorado Preschool Program, Early Childhood Special Education, and limited Title I funds. The school districts may charge a fee for full-time kindergarten classes, as the state only pays for half-time instruction.

NOTE: Total enrollment counts vary on the different pages presented on the COMPASS of Larimer County website because they are taken at different times throughout the school year. For example, the counts represented on this page, are based on enrollment numbers as of the first week in October each year.

What this chart shows: Public School Enrollment, Larimer County, 2002-03 to 2011-12

Public School Enrollment, Larimer County, 2002-03 to 2011-12

Data Source: Colorado Department of Education

See data table

What the above data tell us:

Poudre School District enrollment increased the most (12.1%) between 2002-03 and 2011-12, followed by Thompson School District (4.5%). Park School District lost 16.7% (236 students) of its student body over this same time period.

Overall, school enrollment in the County increased 8.3% from 2002-03 to 2011-12, whereas, according to Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), the county's population grew by an estimated 14.2% over the last decade.

What this chart shows: Pre-Kindergarten through 12th Grade Enrollment - Poudre School District, 2009-10 to 2011-12

Pre-Kindergarten through 12th Grade Enrollment - Poudre School District, 2009-10 to 2011-12

Data Source: Colorado Department of Education

See data table

What the above data tell us:

Beginning with the 2009-10 school year, Poudre School District moved 9th grade to the high school level and created middle schools of 6-8th grades and elementary schools of K-5th grades. All three Larimer County school districts now consist of the same configuration.

Pre-kindergarten (PK) classes in Poudre School District decreased 11.0% over the last three years compared to a 4.7% increase in kindergarten students. High School enrollment fluctuated the least during this time period.

What this chart shows: Pre-Kindergarten through 12th Grade Enrollment - Thompson School District, 2009-10 to 2011-12

Pre-Kindergarten through 12th Grade Enrollment - Thompson School District, 2009-10 to 2011-12

Data Source: Colorado Department of Education

See data table

What the above data tell us:

Thompson School District saw more variation in enrollment by grade levels than Poudre School District between 2009-10 and 2011-12. Pre-K (14.8%), kindergarten (7.6%), elementary (2.5%) and middle school (6.3%) grades saw increases in enrollment during the last three years. Only high school (-1.3%) saw a decline in enrollment during the last three years.

What this chart shows: Pre-Kindergarten through 12th Grade Enrollment - Park School District, 2009-10 to 2011-12

Pre-Kindergarten through 12th Grade Enrollment - Park School District, 2009-10 to 2011-12

Data Source: Colorado Department of Education

See data table

What the above data tell us:

The Pre-K (10.7%) and elementary (0.5%) grades in Estes Park saw increases in enrollment during the last three years. Kindergarten (-6.2%), middle school (-11.2%) and high school (-0.5%) grades saw declines in enrollment during the last three years.

According to school officials, public school enrollment varies widely due to the large migrant populations living in Estes Park, as well as families forced to leave because of limited housing and employment oportunities.

Additional Information:

Related Information on COMPASS -

Other Resources -

Standards or Target: N/A

Data Tables:

Public School Enrollment - Larimer County School Districts

Park

Poudre

Thompson

Countywide

Enrollment

% Change

Enrollment

% Change

Enrollment

% Change

Enrollment

% Change

2002-03

 1,411 1.3% 24,538 0.5% 14,974 1.1% 40,923 0.8%

2003-04

 1,361 -3.5% 24,891 1.4% 15,027 0.4% 41,279 0.9%

2004-05

 1,260 -7.4% 25,000 0.4% 15,030 0.0% 41,290 0.0%

2005-06

 1,265 0.4% 25,216 0.9% 15,108 0.5% 41,589 0.7%

2006-07

 1,272 0.6% 25,430 0.8% 15,310 1.3% 42,012 1.0%

2007-08

 1,206 -5.2% 25,610 0.7% 15,305 0.0% 42,121 0.3%

2008-09

 1,186 -1.7% 25,960 1.4% 15,332 0.2% 42,478 0.8%

2009-10

 1,210 2.0% 26,520 2.2% 15,225 -0.7% 42,955 1.1%

2010-11

 1,159 -4.2% 26,923 1.5% 15,310 0.6% 43,392 1.0%

2011-12

 1,175 1.4% 27,510 2.2% 15,655 2.3% 44,340 2.2%

Negative % Change = decrease in enrollment from the previous year

See chart

Pre-Kindergarten through 12th Grade Enrollment - Poudre School District

 

PK

Kindergarten

Elementary

Junior HS

High School

2006-07

613

1,901

10,889

5,961

6,066

2007-08

560

1,819

10,218

5,973

6,043

2008-09

650

1,963

10,667

5,950

6,030

2009-10

843

2,071

9,643

5,842

8,121

2010-11

749

2,023

10,116

5,854

8,181

2011-12

750

2,169

10,310

6,036

8,245

See chart

Pre-Kindergarten through 12th Grade Enrollment - Thompson School District

 

PK

Kindergarten

Elementary

Middle HS

High School

2006-07

334

1,041

5,402

3,421

5,112

2007-08

292

1,060

5,475

3,348

5,130

2008-09

345

1,128

5,538

3,343

4,978

2009-10

446

1,099

5,602

3,244

4,834

2010-11

463

1,112

5,648

3,300

4,787

2011-12

512

1,183

5,741

3,448

4,771

See chart

Pre-Kindergarten through 12th Grade Enrollment - Park School District

 

PK

Kindergarten

Elementary

Middle HS

High School

2006-07

22

74

445

310

421

2007-08

20

71

403

303

409

2008-09

30

79

366

292

419

2009-10

28

97

414

285

386

2010-11

33

81

419

248

378

2011-12

31

91

416

253

384

See chart