D-8 FASTEST-GROWING DISTRICT IN REGION

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Dec 21, 2007 | by SHARI CHANEY GRIFFIN

[CORRECTION:] Enrollment at Colorado Springs School District 11 fell 1.7 percent this school year. Correction ran 12/22/07. --- Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8 is the fastest-growing school district in the Pikes Peak region this year, topping the previous champ, Falcon School District 49.

According to numbers released Thursday by the Colorado Department of Education, District 8's enrollment grew by 7 percent, while Falcon's grew by 4 percent.

In eight of the past 11 years, Falcon grew by 10 percent or more. But this year's slowdown was expected, said Doug Peden, Falcon's executive director of human resources.

Not as many homes are being built in eastern Colorado Springs, leading to a slowdown in the number of students enrolling in Falcon schools, Peden said, adding "we know that growth will return."

Nine districts increased enrollment and seven districts declined, among the area's 17 school districts. Hanover School District 28 in southern El Paso County remained the same as last school year, with 301 students.

Statewide, enrollment increased by more than 8,500, bringing the total number of students to more than 800,000 for the first time.

According to a news release from the state Education Department, most of the growth -- 8,039 students -- came in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. In grades seven through 12, enrollment grew by 574 students.

Colorado Springs School District 11 saw a drop of about 1.7 percent, or 511 students -- about half of last year's 3 percent drop.

"It is a concern, because we continue to be a decliningenrollment school district," said D-11 spokeswoman Elaine Naleski.

In an effort to reverse that, the district will offer more school program choices, Naleski said, such as a math and science school at East Middle School next August.

Quality programs can boost enrollment, she said, noting that Buena Vista Elementary School was at its lowest enrollment before the district put a public Montessori program in. Now, Naleski said, the school is experiencing its highest enrollments.

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