Over the past six years, the Manitowoc Public School District has seen a decline in the number of students enrolled.
While the drop-off isn’t dramatic, it is still concerning.
In 2016, there were 5,130 students enrolled in the MPSD, and as of last year, there are now only 4,760.
That is a decline of 370 students or a 7% dip over that time frame.
For comparison, Roncalli Catholic Schools saw a rise of 67 students over the past three years.
In 2020 there were 675 students enrolled in elementary, middle, and high schools, and this year’s number jumped to 742, which is a 5% increase.
Manitowoc Lutheran meanwhile saw a 9% jump in enrollment since 2018.
They had 205 students that year compared to 225 this year.
Pastor Norv Kock, the President of the school, said their freshman class this year is the largest at Lutheran High, and that he expects next year’s numbers to be even higher.
We also reached out to the Valders School District which has remained relatively even through the past three years.
They had 969 students in the 2020/2021 school year, 990 the next year, and are back to 967 this year.
Manitowoc Superintendent Jim Feil says he is a firm believer that the pilot program we talked about yesterday will improve student scores, and thus will bring more students in, but it’s about more than that.
“It’s really how do we test ourselves? How do we keep ourselves accountable?” he said. “I know this system that I have suggested, and that we are moving the potential of adoption, could get us there with a great tracking system.”
But why are enrollment numbers important?
“Size makes a difference because you can leverage more,” Feil explained. “The more efficient and effective [you are], you have a little bit more resource, that obviously opens up all kinds of opportunity.”
One way the District is looking to improve enrollment numbers is through a strategic planning process that is going on right now.
Feil said this process will help the public feel more involved.
Feil said, “We are again wanting to make sure all stakeholders feel that this is their school system, and they have an opportunity to have their voices heard, and to become involved.”
As for what he wants moving forward, Feil put it bluntly.
“I don’t want to just be above average,” he said. “It’s more than what I want, it’s what I know what can happen here. Best in state. Best in state. No question, we can be best in state.”
