Columbia Heights to close select grades to open enrollment as several schools near capacity

The Columbia Heights Public Schools board voted to close Highland Elementary kindergarten, Valley View Elementary grade 3 and Columbia Heights High School grades 9, 10 and 12 to open enrollment for the 2025–26 school year or until enrollment numbers decrease.

Superintendent Stembeck told the board she had forecasted that Valley View grade 3 and several high school grades were at or near capacity and that Highland kindergarten enrollment prompted staff to recommend closing those grade levels to new open-enrolled students. "We do save spaces for resident students, so anyone moving in who resides within that attendance area would have a spot," Superintendent Stembeck said.

Board members discussed capacity benchmarks used by the district. The superintendent said elementary staffing aims generally target about 24 students per teacher, though kindergarten classes are typically smaller; high school capacity pressures arise when a grade approaches about 300 students and the middle school nears roughly 800 students total. "When we're staffing elementary, we aim to have overall 24 students to 1 teacher," Superintendent Stembeck said. Board members emphasized that closing open enrollment is governed by state statute and is used only when capacity limits are met.

The motion to close the specified grade levels to open enrollment for the school year or until enrollment numbers decrease passed by voice vote; the transcript records the motion and a second by Michelle (Board member) and the chair calling for the voice vote. The district indicated it will continue to produce weekly enrollment reports and may reopen grade levels if space becomes available later in the year.

The board, superintendent and building principals will implement the closures and notify families; resident students returning or newly residing in the attendance area will retain priority placement.