Enrollment Still Dropping

[Anonymous]

Enrollment numbers have dropped significantly at my school for next year and thus some teachers are having to find work elsewhere. I don’t think it is just the fallout from Covid but the fact that families are struggling to find affordable homes and are getting better offers elsewhere. Wondering if you are seeing this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Enrollment numbers have dropped significantly at my school for next year and thus some teachers are having to find work elsewhere. I don’t think it is just the fallout from Covid but the fact that families are struggling to find affordable homes and are getting better offers elsewhere. Wondering if you are seeing this?

Yup, my FCPS school is not hiring to fill positions that are vacated. The projected enrollment is down nearly 5%. Part of it is that the incoming classes have been smaller year over year (and have been since kindergarten--this isn't a covid thing). Part of it is that with WFH being the norm, people are moving further out. My bff teaches in leesburg and her school is bursting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Enrollment numbers have dropped significantly at my school for next year and thus some teachers are having to find work elsewhere. I don’t think it is just the fallout from Covid but the fact that families are struggling to find affordable homes and are getting better offers elsewhere. Wondering if you are seeing this?

Yup, my FCPS school is not hiring to fill positions that are vacated. The projected enrollment is down nearly 5%. Part of it is that the incoming classes have been smaller year over year (and have been since kindergarten--this isn't a covid thing). Part of it is that with WFH being the norm, people are moving further out. My bff teaches in leesburg and her school is bursting.

We moved to Loudoun a few years ago and have no land to return to Fairfax County - and the schools are a better fit for our family.

[Anonymous]

We are currently staying in public but several families we know switched to private for this year or will next year. It was not about in person school. It’s about academic rigor and wanting your children prepared for college. Those of us with older kids see the change in the focus of public schools. This isn’t about learning loss from covid, either.

[Anonymous]

I anticipate there will be a lot of last minute hiring and rearranging/surplus all the way in to September

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are currently staying in public but several families we know switched to private for this year or will next year. It was not about in person school. It’s about academic rigor and wanting your children prepared for college. Those of us with older kids see the change in the focus of public schools. This isn’t about learning loss from covid, either.

I notice the same too. Not interested in getting my K kid hooked to their iPad (which btw has NO blocked or limited access). Not in with the no homework, endless retake, failing up trend I see.

[Anonymous]

In APS I know several families looking at private. The huge elementary classes have been terrible this year. Distractions, out of control kids, teachers frustrated/quitting

[Anonymous]

It’s all about academic vigor and desire for high quality instruction and opportunities for your children. Public schools have been totally exposed during Covid. We are keeping ours in private as we were previously an APS family

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In APS I know several families looking at private. The huge elementary classes have been terrible this year. Distractions, out of control kids, teachers frustrated/quitting

Ironically dropping enrollment will mean larger classes as money drains out of APS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s all about academic vigor and desire for high quality instruction and opportunities for your children. Public schools have been totally exposed during Covid. We are keeping ours in private as we were previously an APS family

Agreed. We moved our kids to a new school and the difference in the quality of their education is unbelievable. Manual notes, homework, little to no use of technology, teachers staying after school for extra math help, the list goes on. Sadly (at least APS) is very much a sub-par education.

[Anonymous]

Anecdotally, I know several families who pulled early elementary kids out during virtual to homeschool instead and they're going to continue homeschooling.

[Anonymous]

Where are all of these private schools with so many open spots?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where are all of these private schools with so many open spots?

A lot of underenrolled schools had seats to fill. Not Sidwell, per se, but lots of smaller, farther out schools.

[Anonymous]

My public is looking to hire. Our enrollment has increased. I think it depends where you are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My public is looking to hire. Our enrollment has increased. I think it depends where you are.

Where?