Penn Manor reports drop in early‑grade enrollment, rise in special‑education and diversity

Penn Manor School District officials presented a comprehensive enrollment briefing on Nov. 3, detailing a small year‑to‑year decline in overall enrollment, sharper declines in kindergarten and early elementary grades, and continued growth in English learners and special‑education identifications.

The district reported 5,271 students as of Oct. 1, 2025, down from 5,387 at the end of the prior year. The presenter noted that kindergarten enrollment is significantly lower this year than in prior years (kindergarten counts that were previously near 340 now are notably smaller) and that the district has historically seen a 30–60 student increase between kindergarten and first grade in some years. The district uses Oct. 1 as its official reporting date for state and federal purposes.

Administrators flagged 15 oversized classrooms under the district’s criteria (K–3: 25 or more; grades 4–6: 27 or more), concentrated on the northern end of the district. Middle‑school averages of 24–26 students per class were identified as pushing building capacity.

The presentation emphasized growing diversity: English-learner counts have increased (Hambrite Elementary was noted as having 73 EL students) and the district listed a range of home languages. Special‑education counts have also risen; administrators said there are 35 more students identified with autism when comparing 2020 and 2024 state reports, and the district warned those students frequently require more intensive, higher‑cost services.

Officials discussed boundary adjustments and swing‑area allocations to balance class sizes and said a potential future larger middle school could change boundaries and ease elementary pressures. Board members asked about full‑day kindergarten options and wrap programs; administrators said staffing and space constraints (many RAP spaces are on stages) make morning wrap alternatives challenging to implement without additional resources.

Public commenters and board members tied family costs for wrap programs (RAP) to enrollment choices: Tim Guy told the board RAP fees run approximately $180–$240 per week, or roughly $700–$1,000 per month, which can drive families to choose other providers and influences district kindergarten counts.

Administrators said they will continue monitoring trends and return with follow‑up information on boundary work and potential facility solutions.