Enrollment Falls In WSP-Mendota Heights-Eagan Schools: Report

MENDOTA HEIGHTS, 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 West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan District is down 3.5 percent, or 177 students, from its June projection. The district's kindergarten enrollment alone is down 12.8 percent, or 50 students.

"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."

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.

The West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan District did not immediately respond to Patch's request for comment.