Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008

District growth slower this year

The Olathe school district continues to grow, but not at the same pace as the last few years.

According to unofficial first-day enrollment numbers, the district added 312 students for a total of 26,662.

“In general, these numbers are where we expected them to be,” district planner Chris Gralapp said.

The district grew by 800 students in each of the last three school years. By the time the district submits official enrollment numbers to the state, though, Gralapp expects that the district will have added between 500 and 600 new students. The slower growth was expected this year, he said.

“That’s partly due to the housing slowdown,” Gralapp said. “Building permits are off 40 percent from last year, which are off 40 percent from the year before.”

The largest grade level continues to be kindergarten. This year, 2,182 kindergarten students entered the district. Madison Place Elementary School, because of its large kindergarten class, added more students than any other school at 78 because.

Olathe South added 43 students — more than any other high school — although Olathe East is still the largest high school with 1,561 students (39 more than last year).

Arbor Creek Elementary School is the largest elementary school with 688 students, and Prairie Trail Junior High School became the largest junior high with 900 students.

Meadow Lane and Washington elementary schools saw predicted drops in enrollment as Woodland was built to relieve both.

“In that instance, our crystal ball did work,” Gralapp said.

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