District projects open‑enrollment net gain, kindergarten classes expected to grow

District administrators presented open‑enrollment application and projected enrollment data to the board, showing a current projected net increase in open‑enrolled students and early class‑size estimates for the coming year.

The administration said the report is a projection as of July 10 and does not include new applications after that date. The district recorded 85 new open‑enrollment‑in applications and, after the district’s admission determinations and family decisions, projected 67 new in‑students would enroll. When combined with returning open‑enrolled students the administration estimated 467 anticipated open‑enrolled‑in students.

On open enrollment out, the district reported 65 applications; most of those were incoming 4‑K students or ninth graders coming from parochial schools. The district estimated that if all 65 leave as projected, open‑enrolled‑out students would total 380 for the coming year.

Administrators reported projected average class sizes: kindergarten through third grade averaged 21.5 students per classroom (range 18 to 24.5), and Northside’s projected average for grades 4–6 was 26.9 students per classroom — a figure administrators said approaches the threshold where they would consider adding sections.

District staff noted these are summer projections and that kindergarten and 4‑K typically grow through July and August; they will publish a formal third‑Friday enrollment count in September. The superintendent and board members noted new housing and summer moves can affect the final counts and said the board will receive an updated enrollment report at the August meeting.