Libertyville Dist. 70 enrollment figures down
Sixth day enrollment figures for Libertyville Elementary District 70 showed a 2 percent drop from a year ago, the district announced.
"We've slightly decreased from last year; we're down 39 students," Superintendent Guy Schumacher said.
For the last four years, District 70 has seen a slight decline in enrollment for the official sixth day enrollment figures. As the community is built out, the district does not expect large variations in enrollment, officials said. There is no single factor, but might be a mix of attrition or less mobility because of the struggling economy.
Enrollment in District 70 reached 2,507 students on Aug. 30, compared to 2,546 students a year ago. The decrease in students can be seen in three of five schools.
Two schools have more students this year. For the second year, Highland Middle School had a 2 percent boost in enrollment to 961 students, compared to 940 students a year ago. Copeland Manor School also saw an increase this year of 4 percent, with 403 students compared to 387 students a year ago.
The largest decrease came at Rockland, which had a 10 percent drop in students to 321, down from 355 a year ago. Enrollment declines of 5 percent each are seen at Butterfield, with 579 students compared to 607 students a year ago, and Adler Park School, going to 243 students compared to 257 students a year ago.
The gifted education program, which is centralized at Adler Park, did not contribute to enrollment at Adler because students were counted with their home schools.
"While the decrease is nothing drastic, we would expect an increase as the economy and subsequent housing market eventually take a turn for the better," Schumacher said.
This year's District 70 enrollment figures do not include 24 students enrolled in the Special Education District of Lake County and private schools, as well as 20 children enrolled in the Early Childhood class at Adler Park School, or eight out-of-district students placed in the SEDOL class at Butterfield School.
Sixth day enrollment figures are collected by the Lake County Regional Office of Education.