As of October 1st, 2015, the Mercer Island School District reached the highest number of students enrolled in its schools in more than 35 years.
At the end of the last school term, the official Full Time Equivalent (FTE) number of students enrolled in Island schools was 4,223 students. This year, there are now 4,256 students enrolled in Island schools, a net gain of 33 students.
The number is about 40 students fewer than were expected this fall.
“Enrollment is still growing,” said Mercer Island School District Chief Financial Officer, Dean Mack. “It is just growing more slowly than before.”
Most of the increase occurred at Mercer Island High School where there are 62 more students this year than last. At Islander Middle School, there are 13 additional students. But there are 42 fewer students in the elementary grades.
Long-term demographic projections in 2012 predicted a growing secondary population and a relatively stable elementary population.
Since 2007-08 an average of 52 new students have enrolled each year. That adds up to 411 new students in eight years. The average size of a new elementary school is 450 students.
Superintendent Gary Plano noted, “Regional growth and development combined with shifts in demographic trends on Mercer Island explain these numbers. Our community is growing in size and diversity, and we welcome our new neighbors and friends.”
