Enrollment Falls In Apple Valley-Rosemount-Eagan Schools: Report

APPLE VALLEY, MN — A new report from the Association of Metropolitan School Districts shows that almost all public districts in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area are enrolling fewer students as the coronavirus pandemic disrupts traditional education. As the health crisis continues, some parents are turning towards homeschool or smaller private schools.

The Apple Valley-Rosemount-Eagan District 196 is down 2.3 percent, or 685 students, from its June projection. The district's kindergarten enrollment alone is down 12 percent, or 219 students.

"Compared to projections, enrollment was down 685 students (2.3 percent). The declines in actual and projected enrollments are consistent with school districts across the metro area, according to a recent survey by the Association of Metropolitan School Districts," Tony Taschner, communications director for District 196, told Patch in an emailed statement.

"The reason is family decisions to keep kindergarten-eligible students out of school this year or pursue education alternatives like private schools and homeschooling during the COVID-19 pandemic. At 1,764 students, kindergarten enrollment in District 196 is down 262 (13 percent) compared to projections and the number of resident students enrolled in private schools and homeschooling are both higher than last year."

Other school districts in the metro are faring even worse. Anoka-Hennepin Schools — one of the state's largest school districts — is down 3.7 percent, or 1,389 students. Its kindergarten is down 8.3 percent.

"This is definitely not normal," Scott Croonquist, executive director at AMSD, told Minnesota Public Radio News.

According to Croonquist, while a drop in enrollment was expected for many districts, the reality is that "it’s an even bigger decline than they had built into their budget."

See the entire list of metro district enrollment numbers here.