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Deming charter high school reports lower enrollment, expands adult-learning model amid graduation challenges
Summary
Presenters from the Deming charter high school told the Deming Public Schools board that enrollment fell to 154, adult‑learner enrollment and GED programming continue, and the school expects challenges meeting this year’s graduation-rate targets.
Deming charter high school officials reported falling student enrollment and described changes to an adult‑learning program Wednesday as they updated the Deming Public Schools Board of Education.
The charter’s presenters said total enrollment on the 40th reporting day was 154 students: 107 day students and 47 adult students. Officials described a retooled adult learning academy that uses a quarter‑credit model and direct instruction Monday through Wednesday, with a virtual day on Thursday. The presenters said the program produced 15 adult graduates last year and that the charter aims to recruit up to 70 adult learners in coming years.
The update highlighted persistent credit gaps among younger students. “We have 15 freshmen, 24 sophomores, 11 juniors, and 76 seniors,” a presenter said, adding that many sophomores, juniors and seniors are short credits needed to graduate. The presenters said roughly 10 non‑freshman students were missing a full credit and that some seniors are unlikely to graduate on schedule. “If they graduate by age 21, we’re gonna graduate by age 21,” one presenter said.
Presenters described academic interventions focused on reading and math and said the school is using specialized instruction and an instructional coach to address deficits. “Eighty‑nine percent of our students are five reading levels below,” a presenter said, describing low literacy and math achievement on state assessments and comparing the school’s results to other re‑engagement programs.
School leaders also described a GED pathway for students more than 12 credits behind and said the district does not receive funding for students enrolled in GED preparation; those placements are made to provide service rather than revenue. “We have 10 students on the GED program,” a presenter said, including some older adults; the presenters said the district does not receive state funding for GED students.
Board members asked for clarification about year‑to‑year enrollment and causes for the decline. Presenters said night‑school attendance remains a recruiting challenge for younger students and that the charter is pursuing community partnerships and outreach to increase enrollment.
The presentation concluded with a brief facilities and budget update: the charter reported a $262,050 budget for targeted improvement (MRI/CSI) and said that money would be used for staffing, interventions and facility upgrades.
The report was followed by questions from board members and by a short business‑manager update on small renovations and governing‑council recruitment.
