News Release
Nov. 19, 2004
Student Enrollment Jumps Again - To 72,901
District-wide student enrollment climbed by 412 this school year - to 72,901 total students.
A report released by the Department of Planning, Assessment and Research showed surges in Early Childhood Education (up 188 students) and in high school (up 392 students). Middle school enrollments were down 219 students; elementary schools were up 51 students.
The new data also show an increase in the number of Hispanic students - up from 57 percent of all students in 2003-2004 to 57.3 percent of all students in 2004-2005. White students represent 19.3 percent of the student body (down from 19.7 percent in 2003-2004), black students represent 19.1 percent of the student body (up from 18.9 percent), Asian students 3.1 percent and American Indians 1.2 percent (both unchanged).
The DPS K-12 membership stood at its modern-day low of 56,550 in 1989; enrollment has been climbing steadily ever since.
The report cited a number of factors for influencing district-wide enrollment trends including pupil assignment plan changes, private school membership, population trends, new home construction, economic conditions and immigration patterns. The report noted that net migration to Colorado decreased from almost 80,000 in 1999 to 16,541 in 2003. That number is expected to grow to almost 19,000 for 2004 - an indicator that population growth is at least picking up slightly in the state after a significant downturn.
For more information, contact the DPS Communications Office at 720-423-3414.