Enrollment declines at Mid-Del Schools

By Jeff Harrison
Midwest City Beacon

Student enrollment dipped again at Mid-Del Schools.

The district reported an enrollment of 12,131 as of Oct. 1, which was 303 less (2.4%) than last year’s total of 12,434 students.

Mid-Del has seen enrollment drop for three straight years, following a post-pandemic rebound.

The district lost nearly 3,000 students during the pandemic. Enrollment fell to 11,066 in 2020-21 and rebounded to 12,436 in 2021-22 and remained relatively flat the following year.

“We are still seeing students return to us after the pandemic, but that is a smaller number every year,” said Superintendent Rick Cobb.

Of the district’s 19 school sites, Pleasant Hill Elementary saw the largest percentage drop. The school’s enrollment declined from 160 to 142 this year. Barnes Elementary declined by 8% and

Ridgecrest and Soldier Creek were both down about 6%.

Carl Albert and Midwest City middle schools were each down slightly.

At the high school level, Carl Albert High School and Midwest City High School each saw enrollment dip by about 2%.

Three school sites saw small increases. Parkview Elementary, Tinker Elementary and Del City Middle School each added students.

The trend is not unique to Mid-Del, Cobb said. Schools nationwide have seen enrollment dip after years of growth. Oklahoma public schools’ enrollment decreased by 2,156 students or .31% in 2023-24, compared to the previous school year.

The October enrollment numbers are used by the state to calculate mid-term adjustments to state aid. The district also monitors enrollment throughout the year to adjust staff and begin budgeting for the next year.