The Denver Public Schools student population dipped slightly (almost 0.2 percent) overall for the 2003-2004 school year, according to data released today from the district’s Department of Planning.

The largest drop by far was due to a reduction in state funding for four-year-old students who attend Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs.

Including ECE students, the district’s enrollment dropped by 128 students to 72,489. Looking only at students in kindergarten through twelfth-grade, the district’s enrollment grew by 393 students to 69,035.

“Had the state funding not been reduced, our overall enrollment would have continued to show steady growth,” said Wayne Eckerling, Assistant Superintendent for Research, Planning and Special Projects.

The high school population grew by 336 students; the middle school population grew by 88 students; and the overall elementary school population, including ECE, dropped by 552.

The percentage of Hispanic students in the district continued to climb. Last year, students who identified themselves as Hispanic represented 56 percent of the student population. This year, Hispanics represent 57 percent (41,339) of the district.

The white student population dipped from 20.3 percent in 2002-2003 to 19.7 percent this year. The black student population dropped from 19.3 percent of the population to 18.9 percent (13,733 students). The Asian population dropped from 3.3 percent to 3.1 percent, and the American Indian population held steady at 1.2 percent.

The report from the Department of Planning cited a number of key factors directly affecting DPS enrollment, including net migration to Colorado decreasing from almost 80,000 in 1999 to 14,500 in 2003, according to state demographers.

The district’s student enrollment has surged by 10,000 students since the 1993-1994 school year, when there were 62,702 students. Enrollment continues to grow quickly in far northeast Denver, where two new K-8 schools are planned under the recently approved $310 million bond, and in southwest Denver, where two major classroom additions are planned for Schenck (1300 S. Lowell Blvd.) and Gust (3440 W. Yale Ave.) elementary schools.

For more information, contact the Public Information Office, 720-423-3414.