Idaho’s K-12 public school enrollment numbers are slightly higher than they were last fall, according to state data. 

That continues a trend of enrollment numbers increasing since the 2022-23 school year, when student numbers started to pick up again after the pandemic. However, last school year’s gains were notably smaller than previous years, indicating a slowdown in student growth.

Of Idaho’s 10 largest districts, eight had enrollment declines this fall when compared to last. But there are pockets of growth — especially at online and nontraditional schools.

Enrollment shifts can have major consequences. Enrollment declines combined with budget deficits have sparked several school districts to shutter schools or consider doing so.

The factors behind enrollment dips vary. Boise leaders, for example, have pointed to rising home prices and an aging population. In the Idaho Falls School District, the sudden closure of an online school contributed to this fall’s decrease. And Nampa leaders have cited an influx of older incoming residents who don’t have school-aged children, and housing developments outside of district boundaries. 

Nationwide, similar patterns of declining public school enrollment have emerged. Thomas Dee, an education professor at Stanford University, has attributed the losses to increased homeschooling, declining birth rates and migration patterns within the United States. An increase in private school enrollment has also had an impact, but to a lesser extent, Dee wrote in a 2023 essay. 

Related reading: Defying pandemic-era predictions, home schooling remains on the rise in Idaho and beyond

But Idaho is an outlier in one way — it’s one of 10 states where public school enrollment is projected to grow between 2022 and 2031, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.  Of those, Idaho is projected to have the largest percent increase in total enrollment over this period, with 11% growth predicted.

So far, the prediction of enrollment growth from 2022 on has been accurate — but just barely this fall. 

Statewide enrollment trends — where numbers are growing and shrinking

We took a look at enrollment numbers in seven different ways, each shedding some light on student enrollment trends statewide.

You can look up the fall 2024 enrollment numbers at your school or charter here. 

Statewide enrollment: change from fall to fall

Statewide enrollment numbers are slightly up this fall compared to last. 

Statewide enrollment: change from spring to fall

But when compared to last spring’s numbers, there was a decline of about 1,400. 

Statewide historic enrollment: change from spring to spring

In this chart we compare enrollment data from the end of each school year. While Idaho’s enrollment has continued to grow, except for an anomalous year in 2020-21, the growth slowed down this year.

Districts or charters with triple-digit growth from fall to fall

Many of the schools and districts on this list are nontraditional. Three of these schools are online only, and Snake River School District is home to two online schools that comprise more than half of its overall enrollment. Vallivue’s growth may be due to its affordable housing when compared with neighboring school districts like West Ada or Boise. 

New schools account for some growth

Three new schools opened this year, together accounting for an enrollment count of more than 700.

Large district enrollment: change from fall to fall

From last fall to this, student enrollment numbers declined in eight of Idaho’s 10 largest districts. Only Vallivue and Coeur d’Alene school districts showed growth. 

Large district enrollment: change from spring to fall

When comparing enrollment numbers from spring to fall, all but Vallivue faced declines. 

Idaho Education News data analyst Randy Schrader contributed to this report.