January 3, 2008

By now, I think the phrase “enrollment decline” has become synonymous with many metro school districts. For years, the Mounds View School District was among the metro’s leaders in decline. In the past decade, we’ve lost 2,100 students and responded by closing two schools, selling district-owned properties and targeting other downsizing efforts.

But here’s a lesser known fact about Mounds View’s enrollment: Our schools consistently enroll 80 percent of all possible resident students each year. So what does our capture rate tell us?

* Enrollment decline is not the result of resident students choosing other school options. Every year about 14 percent of our resident students choose non-public options while four percent and two percent choose other districts or home schooling, respectively.

* Our enrollment decline is related to a resident population that ages in place, while fewer young families with children are moving into the District. Non-public schools in our area are seeing the impact of this student population decline as well.

* Our 80 percent capture rate is highly regarded by demographers who tell us that in second-ring suburbs like ours, residents have the means to pursue non-public school options in greater numbers. Yet in our communities, the vast majority chooses Mounds View Public Schools.

We’re pleased so many families consistently choose Mounds View, and we hope even more will join our schools. But considering the District’s demographics, reversing our enrollment decline seems unlikely. Yet, we know that efforts can slow the rate of the decline.

Enrollment Information Nights
January will mark our fifth season of hosting Enrollment Information Nights at every school in the District. We hold these events for three primary audiences:

1. Next year’s kindergartner families and District students entering sixth grade or ninth grade next year.

2. Non-public school students in any grade.

3. Non-resident students who are welcome to apply for a limited number of openings where space is available.

Every year, we enroll scores of new students, many of whom are non-residents or students who previously attended non-public schools. If you know of someone interested in learning more about our schools, please encourage them to attend our Enrollment Information Nights on January 7, 8 and 10. Please visit www.moundsviewschools.org/enroll.asp for times, locations and other details.

Choosing a school is an important decision. For those school shoppers out there, I hope you will take the time to learn about the program opportunities and value available by attending Mounds View Public Schools. Our principals, teachers, coaches and staff are ready to give all new families a warm Mounds View welcome.