Libertyville School District 70 Schools' Sixth Day Enrollment Dips Slightly, But Diversity Increases

Sixth-day enrollment figures for Libertyville Elementary District 70 showed a slight 1.1 percent drop from last year's sixth-day numbers, but an increase in the number of students from bilingual families.

While enrollment has again dropped slightly, the decrease reflects only 21 students this year. Inline with a demographic study, the continual drop in enrollment cannot be explained by any one thing, said Supt. Dr. Guy Schumacher. The decrease in students might be a mixture of attrition or less mobility as the economy recovers, and lower birth rates. Sixth-day enrollment figures are used every year as the data is reported to the State of Illinois.

Enrollment for District 70 reached 2,306 students on Aug. 30, compared to 2,327 students a year ago.

"Enrollment is always in flux and monitored closely," Supt. Schumacher said, "You can't just look at the total enrollment. You need to see the trends. We registered 165 new families, bringing in 226 new students this year. Of our total student population, 382 come to us from homes that speak 41 languages other than English. That compares to only 359 students a year ago."

That shows more diversity in District 70.

Adler Park School saw an increase of 19 students this year to an enrollment of 266, compared to 247 a year ago. It is the fourth year in a row that enrollment at the district's smallest school continues to rise.

"I am pleased to see that the number of kindergarten students, 197, remains strong this year and that the number of new students that we registered for the new school year increased, as well," said Erik Youngman, the district's director of curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

The largest drop in students can be seen at Butterfield School with a 4.8 percent decrease, or 23 students, to 492 students compared to 515 students a year ago. The drop is not too dramatic when you see that three years ago, Butterfield enrollment was 494 students. This year's enrollment figures for Butterfield do not include the 9 Early Childhood students who are based at the school, or the 15 SEDOL (Special Education Department of Lake County) students housed at the school but living outside of the district boundaries. The figure does include 17 Early Instruction Program students.

Enrollment also dropped by 10 students at Highland Middle School with a 1.1 percent decrease in students. Sixth-day enrollment hit 860 students at the school this year, compared to 870 a year ago.

Enrollment at Rockland School also dropped by four students to an enrollment this year of 287 compared to 291 a year ago. Copeland Manor School also saw a loss of just three students, for an enrollment this year of 401 compared to 404 students a year ago.

In all, District 70 has seen a 5.6 percent drop in total enrollment since the 2012-13 school year when 2,443 students were enrolled compared to 2,306 this year.

Just because enrolled is down, doesn't mean District 70 schools are not full, because they are. An addition of four classrooms and a gymnasium last year to Copeland Manor hasn't left any open space at the school on Seventh Avenue. Two classrooms and a new gymnasium are being added to Rockland School this year, as teachers have to squeeze together until the addition is finished in early 2018.

Putting full day kindergarten classes at all the elementary schools, disbursing gifted education to all the schools and fulfilling programmatic needs increased the need for more classroom space.

This year's enrollment figures support recent demographic predictions as District 70 researched growth to get a better view of the future. Ongoing growth and housing development potential continues to be looked at closely, Schumacher said.

This year's enrollment figures for the district do not include 24 out-placed students who reside within District 70 boundaries.

Other interesting facts seen in the first week of school for District 70 include an increase to 208 students who receive special education compared to 179 last year, nine homeless students are enrolled compared to only five a year ago, and there are 197 kindergarten students compared to 212 last year.