Changes in total student enrollments range from +6 to -6 at four area schools
When the four local school districts turned in their official fall enrollment numbers to the state last week, the figures showed a mostly static school population in the county following enrollment declines in some districts last year.
The combined enrollment of Aurora, Giltner, Hampton and HPC this fall is 1,880, up just one student from last year’s combined total of 1,879. Last year overall enrollments for the four schools declined by 16, representing a 0.84 decrease countywide from the previous year.
The Aurora 4R School District saw the biggest increase in enrollment with six additional students and Hampton had the biggest decline with six students less. Meanwhile, enrollment at Giltner Public Schools remained the same as the 2023-24 school year and HPC gained one student.
Below are the official enrollment totals by district as of the Oct. 1 reporting date with comments from school superintendents.
Aurora
Enrollment remains steady in the Aurora Public Schools this year, reflecting a recent trend. There is a six-student increase from the 2023-24 school year, jumping from 1,231 to 1,237.
“Our enrollment trend remains consistent, as we have averaged less than 1 percent increase or decrease from year-to-year over the last 20 years,” Supt. Jody Phillips reported.
Comparing enrollment totals from the last three years, the smallest and largest class sizes have increased. Three years ago, the range was a low of 67 and a high of 93. Last year, the smallest class was reported as pre-kindergarten at 74 students, with the largest at 98. This year, the smallest grade level is pre-kindergarten at 72, with the sophomore class the largest at 100.
Enrollment, by grade (as of Oct. 1), with last year’s total in parentheses:
PreKindergarten: 72 (74)
Kindergarten: 87 (82)
First Grade: 81 (92)
Second Grade: 95 (84)
Third Grade: 87 (85)
Fourth Grade: 88 (77)
Fifth Grade: 83 (98)
Sixth Grade: 98 (87)
Seventh Grade: 86 (80)
Eighth Grade: 76 (98)
Ninth Grade: 96 (93)
10th Grade: 100 (89)
11th Grade: 89 (97)
12th Grade: 99 (95)
Total Enrollment: 1,237 (1,231)
Giltner
Giltner’s Pre-K to 12th grade enrollment for 2024-25 is 246, which is the same as last year’s report.
Supt. Nick Mumm stated the overall numbers had remained consistent from previous years with minor changes with students leaving during the school year.
“A number of families moved out of the area which resulted in those students not able to attend GPS this year,” Mumm explained.
Despite the decrease in class sizes this year, Mumm said the class sizes for the elementary school have tended to increase over the years.
“We have had a great number of new families join GPS and we are excited to have them,” Mumm commented. “Our elementary classes continue to trend larger in size each year, which is positive for the overall school enrollment for the future. We would like to thank all the wonderful families and students that are a part of GPS and the great staff that educate them each day.”
Enrollment by grade (as of Oct. 1), with last year’s enrollment in parentheses:
Pre-Kindergarten: 29 (19)
Kindergarten: 13 (16)
First grade: 18 (20)
Second grade: 19 (23)
Third grade: 22 (16)
Fourth grade: 17 (19)
Fifth grade: 19 (17)
Sixth grade: 14 (18)
Seventh grade: 17 (13)
Eighth grade: 17 (20)
Ninth grade: 18 (15)
10th grade: 16 (18)
11th grade: 15 (11)
12th grade: 12 (21)
Total Enrollment: 246 (246)