LCC records a small enrollment increase

LAUREL – Laurel-Concord- Coleridge Schools’ enrollment is holding steady and even increased slightly for the 2024-25 academic year.

This year, there are 404 students enrolled in preschool through 12th grade, reflecting an increase of four students over the previous year, said Superintendent Jeremy Christiansen.

“I think that’s significant in terms of graduating 29 and bringing in a class of 16 (kindergartners),” he said.

The largest growth came from its preschool enrollment which ballooned from 33 to 53 students. Other grade levels have decreased a student or two or gained a student or two, he said.

“Our trend over the last three to four years is some lower class sizes - in the mid to upper teens - in our middle and upper grades,” he said.

Preschool enrollment (including 3- and 4-year-olds) contains the largest number of students at 53, while kindergarten and third grade has the smallest class sizes at 16 each. There are 19 students in first grade; 23 in second grade; 28 in fourth grade; 26 in fifth grade; 31 in sixth grade; 28 in seventh grade; 24 in eighth grade; 28 freshmen; 38 sophomores; 38 juniors; and 36 seniors.

Christiansen keeps a close eye on enrollment and projected enrollment numbers so appropriate resources can be applied.

“It’s hard to predict,” he said. In May, the school board approved a new instructional model at the elementary and reconfigured grade levels at its two campuses. Starting this academic year, fifth grade was assigned to the elementary building instead of transitioning to middle school; the middle school instructs grades 6-8.

Christiansen said the opening of Building Blocks Early Childcare Center in 2025 has the potential for future growth at LCC.

“If you look at communities where they have brought in a childcare center development, it definitely has maintained and seen growth (at the local school district),” Christiansen said. “Having the opportunity for quality childcare is attractive for families to settle down and bring kids.”

While having the new childcare center will be a boost to the community, available and affordable housing remains a challenge, he said.