D-205's Enrollment Projection Missed Mark

ELMHURST, IL — Elmhurst School District 205 originally projected enrollment would be up 1 percent this school year. Things didn't quite work out that way.

Instead, the district reported it saw a 3 percent drop.

According to a district report, enrollment is now 8,339, down more than 250 from a year before. This is a sharp contrast to the district's projection that the district would see an increase of more than 100 students, reaching about 8,700.

At Monday's school board meeting, Superintendent Dave Moyer said the district's projections have been closer to the mark over the years.

But he said the effects of the pandemic have made things more uncertain. And more families are choosing private schools, which have offered more in-person learning. For instance, Elmhurst's IC Catholic Prep reported in August that its enrollment was up by more than 30 students.

Last school year, District 205 was at its highest point with enrollment in the last five years — 8,596. The district's enrollment in the 2015-16 year was 8,326, slightly less than this year's.

The district's latest projections show that enrollment would slowly increase over the next five years, reaching 8,416 by the 2025-26 year.

Of the district's eight elementary schools, Conrad Fischer saw the biggest increase in enrollment over the last five years — 28 percent. It is also the biggest elementary school, with 533 students, about 100 more than the 2015-16 year.

Lincoln experienced the biggest drop — 18 percent fewer students than five years earlier. It now has an enrollment of 457, nearly 100 fewer than 2015-16.

Of the middle schools, Churchville and Sandburg saw enrollment decreases of 16 and 15 percent, respectively, from five years ago. Bryan edged up 2 percent.

York High is up 8 percent, to 2,840.