Enrollment Is Down In Orono Schools: Report

MAPLE GROVE, 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.

Orono Schools is down 4 percent, or 116 students, from its June projection. The district's kindergarten enrollment alone is down 5.6 percent, or 11 students.

"This is definitely not normal," said 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."

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.

See the entire list of metro district enrollment numbers here.

Orono Schools did not immediately respond to Patch's request for comment.