La Porte schools report rising early-learning enrollment, high reading and graduation rates

Dr. Sandra Wood, superintendent of La Porte Community Schools, used the State of the Schools address to identify enrollment challenges, new communication tools and academic gains across the district.

"When we examine nearly two decades of enrollment data, the trend becomes very clear. Our district has experienced a steady long term decline," Wood said, linking falling enrollment to local industry changes, demographic shifts and the expansion of school choice in Indiana.

To strengthen family engagement, the district adopted ParentSquare, a communications platform the superintendent said has produced nearly 4,000 staff posts and more than 108,000 messages since the beginning of the year. Wood also highlighted an in-house podcast, Inside La Porte Schools, and the Slicer Ambassadors program as outreach efforts to tell the district's story and bring community members behind the scenes.

Wood described program expansions aimed at student success: La Porte Online School is entering its second year with enrollment approaching 120 students and continued access to extracurriculars and tutoring; CTE and dual-credit pathways have been expanded, and two new pathways (public safety and civic arts) were added this year. She said the district's early childhood center Little Learners grew from 199 students last year to 318 this year and expects roughly 348 by year end.

On performance metrics, Wood reported a 93.3% iRead passage rate for 2025 — the highest in the district’s history — and that La Porte High School posted a 94% graduation rate. "This success is a testament to the hard work of our elementary teachers, interventionists, and families," she said.

Safety and student supports also figured in Wood's remarks: the district has strengthened digital security and backups, implemented a new video security system, created secure entry points with visitor check-in and partners with the La Porte County Sheriff's Department to place two full-time SROs on campuses. Food services serve about 2,000 breakfasts and 4,300 lunches daily and the district offers free meals to all students; Wood noted national recognition through the USDA's Healthier School Meals Initiative.

What happens next: The district plans to continue aligning pre-K through 12 leadership, expand career pathways and monitor enrollment impacts while using communication tools and community partnerships to retain and attract students.