The Denver Public Schools (DPS) released a new report predicting that enrollment will go down by roughly 8%, equating to 6,005 students, by 2029, which could result in more school closures by 2030.
It is expected that the district will recommend school closures of institutions located in the northwest, southwest, and central parts of the city. This is primarily because these regions experience the sharpest enrollment declines.
Denver Public Schools Reveal Worrying Enrollment Decline
To note, Southwest Denver is expected to lose roughly 2,720 students by 2029, Northwest Denver is set to lose almost 1,200 students, and Central Denver is expected to lose nearly 900 students.
The report comes only a few days after DPS announced the closure of seven schools that had low enrollment at the end of this past school year. Furthermore, it also partially closed three others by removing some grade levels from being offered.
DPS enrollment peaked in 2019 before consistently decreasing for several years after. While student counts slightly increased in the last two school years, which were driven by an influx of migrant families, the numbers are still far from favorable, according to Chalkbeat.
However, a decrease in birth rates and continued gentrification, which push families out of the city, are expected to result in continued decreases in the number of enrollments in the coming years.
The latest report also highlights other trends, such as the far northeast being the only part of the city where officials expect enrollment to increase. It is predicted that the region will see 400 more students by 2029. The report notes that this part of the district will need to have a new elementary school and more middle school seats to accommodate the new students.
Potential School Closures
Superintendent Alex Marrero is constrained by how frequently he is allowed to propose school closures to the board of education. Executive Limitation 18 limits school closures to once every three years and restricts the superintendent from defending such decisions with low enrollment and test scores only, the Denver Gazette reported.
The situation comes as DPS also shuttered several schools late last year after board members approved a controversial round of school closures. However, the vote was quickly met with audience members shouting "shame on you."
The board greenlit the closures to help the district make some adjustments amid the ongoing enrollment decline. Board member Michelle Quattlebaum said ahead of the vote that they were making an "incredibly difficult decision," as per the Colorado Sun.
