Area Schools Post First Enrollment Numbers

FARMINGTON, PRAIRIE GROVE UP, LINCOLN DOWN

FARMINGTON -- Farmington and Prairie Grove school districts are serving more students this year than last year while Lincoln's student enrollment has decreased slightly, compared to its student count in October 2015.

The first official report on student enrollment is submitted to the state Oct. 1 and then enrollment figures are reported to the state on a quarterly basis for the rest of the year. Arkansas Department of Education uses this information in determining money for student growth and state aid.

Farmington

Year Enrollment

10-11 2177

11-12 2214

12-13 2283

13-14 2314

14-15 2321

15-16 2366

16-17 2503

Oct. 1 Enrollment

Farmington

2012 2283

2013 2314

2014 2321

2015 2366

2016 2503

Lincoln

2012 1240

2013 1215

2014 1192

2015 1203

2016 1187

Prairie Grove

2012 1845

2013 1846

2104 1840

2015 1881

2016 1909

Farmington School District had the second-largest enrollment increase by percentage for school districts in Northwest Arkansas, according to reports. Farmington's enrollment grew by 5.8 percent, from 2,366 to 2,503 students, an increase of 140 students. Pea Ridge was first with an increase of 7.4 percent.

Prairie Grove's enrollment grew by 1.5 percent or 28 students, from 1,881 students on Oct. 1, 2015, to 1,909 students this year.

Lincoln lost students, with its Oct. 1 enrollment declining from 1,203 last year to 1,187 this year, a decrease of 1.3 percent.

Bryan Law, Farmington school superintendent, said he believes Farmington is going through another growth cycle.

About 10 years ago, Farmington was growing 70-100 students per year. When the economic downturn hit, the district's growth slowed to about 20-30 students per year.

"This is a pretty good jump but we were kinda expecting it because of our school choice transfers," Law said.

This summer, Farmington accepted 75 students through the state's School Choice law and transferred out about 25 students through the same law. School Choice allows students to enroll in a district other than the one in which they live, as long as the district has space for them.

"It appears to me we are on another upswing like 10 years ago," Law said.

He said he is basing that on construction in Farmington, as well as construction region-wide. As the region grows, some of this spills off into the smaller communities, Law said.

Farmington schools are attractive to families for several reasons, Law said.

The district is big enough to offer many classes and programs but is not so big teachers and students do not know each other's names.

"Parents still want a personal touch for their children," Law said.

Prairie Grove Superintendent Allen Williams said he was somewhat surprised the district's growth was not higher but at the same time, pointed out this year's kindergarten class is smaller than the number of seniors who just graduated.

Typically, Williams said, Prairie Grove hits its high-water mark about Labor Day and then may lose some students throughout the year. This year, however, enrollment has grown since Labor Day. Prairie Grove had about 1,892 students on the 15th day of school and is now at 1,909.

"I don't know if that will continue to grow or not," Williams said. "We'll see."

He expects, though, Prairie Grove student enrollment will grow based on housing construction in town. The city will set a record this year for the number of new housing starts.

Like Law, Williams said many families prefer a smaller school setting and are looking at districts in smaller communities, such as Prairie Grove, Farmington, Pea Ridge and Elkins. All of these districts saw students increase compared to last year.

Mary Ann Spears, superintendent of Lincoln Consolidated Schools, said there is not much new construction in Lincoln and that affects student population and bringing in new families to town.

"We are losing a little bit but it's not significant," Spears said. "You definitely want to grow. Salaries go up and costs to do business are going to go up. We need some economic impact in our area to bring in new jobs."

State aid to schools is based on enrollment figures, $6,646 per student, so the more students, the more money from the state.

As Farmington and Prairie Grove grow, Spears said she believes that will eventually make its way west to Lincoln. It just will not be anytime soon, she added.

General News on 10/19/2016