Enrollment Exodus: Schools Lose Students as Homeschooling and Private School Numbers Rise
In recent years, schools across the United States have experienced a decline in enrollment while homeschooling and private school numbers have been on the rise. Experts suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing concerns about the quality and safety of public schools have contributed to this trend.
One such example can be found in Clark County, where the population has increased by 8 percent since 2017. Surprisingly, the enrollment in the Clark County School District has fallen over the same period. On the eve of the current academic year, the district’s student population has dropped from over 315,000 to just 284,000. While officials remain optimistic about meeting enrollment projections, the declining trend is undeniable.
Clark County is not alone in facing this issue. Many other large urban school districts, including New York City, Chicago, and Miami, have also witnessed a decline in enrollment. Although some districts have used pandemic funding to mitigate the loss of students, these financial resources will eventually run out.
The closure of schools during the pandemic played a significant role in this enrollment exodus. Teachers unions, in their efforts to keep campuses closed for extended periods, gambled on the assumption that parents would return once the COVID situation improved. However, in many places, this assumption did not hold true.
According to researchers from Stanford University, a substantial portion of students who left public schools between fall 2019 and spring 2022 either switched to homeschooling or enrolled in private schools. In Nevada, for instance, the number of homeschooling families increased by 10 percent during the pandemic, with many students never returning to their traditional public schools. Furthermore, a national analysis conducted by the Cato Institute found an overall increase in private school enrollment for the 2022-23 school year.
Parents’ desire for greater personalization and quality education seems to be a driving force behind this trend. Romy Drucker, K-12 education director at the Walton Family Foundation, emphasized the need for schools to regain parents’ trust by meeting their expectations.
Nevada’s legislative Democrats, however, have chosen to overlook this dynamic and are working to limit schooling options for parents while impeding efforts to improve the state’s academic record. Researchers predict that many school districts facing enrollment losses, combined with fiscal and operational challenges, may struggle to recover from this decline. Questions about the quality of the learning environment have also emerged in light of the growth of homeschooling and private school enrollment.
Moreover, parents have expressed safety concerns regarding public schools, especially as instances of violence on campuses have increased due to lenient disciplinary procedures. To prevent further decline in enrollment, it is crucial that any new agreements or contracts address the importance of creating a safe and nurturing learning environment while maintaining high academic standards for students.
As the new school year commences, the Clark County School District finds itself entangled in a contentious contract dispute with the local teachers union. This issue highlights the significance of not only allocating record state appropriations for public education but also focusing on vital aspects like safety and academic expectations. Without addressing these concerns, more families are likely to explore alternative schooling options.
The decline in school enrollment nationwide has become a cause for concern, demanding a critical evaluation of the current educational system and a need for reforms that prioritize student needs and parental trust.
