Declining School Enrollment
School districts adjusting to steep decline in students
School districts across the region are looking for new solutions, as Connecticut's student enrollment declines. By 2025, the student population in Connecticut is projected to decline by nearly 10 percent to 631,241 students.
GALLERIES: Declining School Enrollment
Connecticut student enrollment declines 3% amid pandemic
State education officials attribute this partly to parents delaying the start of school for young children due to COVID-19.
Groton addressing drop in students
The number of school-age children in Groton declined 20.5 percent during the last 15 years, but the population is expected to level off in the future, census data shows.
Montville school district studying how to handle declining enrollment
Montville officials are trying to make the best of a sharp decline in student enrollment over the past decade.
Preston forecasts for stable enrollment
A bar graph illustrating enrollment at Preston's elementary and middle schools over the past 45 years resembles the first deep dive in a roller coaster ride followed by a gentle incline, another drop and a hint at a new rise to come.
Ledyard says advertising important to counter declining enrollment
Ledyard administrators have planned for declining enrollment in town for years.
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Salem School to face challenges with projected steep enrollment decline
The school-age population in Salem is projected to decline by nearly 30 percent in the next 10 years, but school and district administrators say the solution is more complicated than reducing the budget to match enrollment.
New London schools poised to increase enrollment
In a county where some predict a steady decline in the number of school-aged kids over the next decade, New London intends to buck the trend.
Waterford student enrollment decrease smaller than many districts, but still on district’s mind
The Waterford school district has seen a smaller decrease in its population than some southeastern Connecticut towns, but the issue is still on school officials’ minds.
Lyme-Old Lyme seeks new students
In the face of declining enrollment, Lyme-Old Lyme school officials are trying an approach typically uncommon among most public schools districts: marketing to attract new students and families and retain current ones.
East Lyme, state will need to be creative in face of declining enrollment, says superintendent
Superintendent Jeffrey Newton said that while future projections overall show a decline in students, there are some positive signs that warrant further monitoring.
North Stonington schools want small-town feel
With North Stonington’s school-age population slated to drop significantly over the next 10 years, administrators in one of the smallest school districts in the state hope to maintain the charms of their small-town school.
Stonington class sizes decreasing
While communities across the state grapple with how to handle declining student enrollments over the coming decade, Stonington Superintendent of Schools Van Riley also sees an opportunity to not only promote the variety of opportunities available at the high school but expand offerings for all students.
Empty school? Towns look for ways to unload or reuse them
Published April 3, 2016
With a significant declining school-age population in most suburban towns in southeastern Connecticut, municipalities will very likely find themselves with some empty schools over the next decade.