Charter schools see enrollment increase after drop from last year

The explosive growth in South Florida schools could be coming to an end.

New figures released by the school districts show a slight drop in Broward County and only a slight increase in Palm Beach County. Miami-Dade County’s figures haven’t been released.

Here’s a look of the latest enrollment trends by the numbers:

■ 1,500 fewer students in Broward district schools; 700 more in charter schools

In Broward County, enrollment for district-run K-12 schools fell by about 1,500 students this year, bringing the total to about 221,000, according to a count taken on the second day of school. Some of those are going to charter schools, where enrollment increased.

Charter school enrollment increased this year, following a drop last year.

A district report from October 2017 had predicted charter schools would see slight declines again this year and next, while district enrollment would remain flat.

“Parents are very fickle,” said Ralph Arza, director of government relations for the Florida Charter School Alliance, a statewide advocacy group. “They want more choices, and that’s what you’ll continue to witness, fluctuation back and forth.”

■ 370 more students in Palm Beach district schools; 217 more in charter schools

At Palm Beach County’s dis-

trict-run schools, enrollment rose to about 172,000. Charter school enrollment has now just over 20,000 students.

■ Where did 800 go?

While Broward lost 700 of its students to charter schools, it’s unclear if the other 800 left the county, are attending private schools or Florida virtual classes or are being homeschooled. Leslie Brown, a Broward administrator, said the school district plans to study what caused the declines in the coming weeks.

■ 3,360 Stoneman Douglas students

The massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High on Feb. 14 appeared to have little effect on enrollment in Parkland schools.

About 3,360 students are attending the school this year, a drop of only 19 students from last year. Enrollment was flat or up at four other schools in Parkland, which has been a high growth area in recent years.

“That community is very connected and dedicated to the schools there,” Brown said. “We’re thrilled that the families have continued to support [Stoneman Douglas].”

Arza, with Florida Charter School Alliance, said he thinks the tragedy is causing parents to think more about where they want to send their kids to school.

“Charter schools are usually smaller, and sometimes parents equate smaller with being safer,” Arza said.

■ 6 Broward high schools see big decrease

Enrollment dropped by more than 100 students at these schools: Hallandale, Plantation, McArthur, Northeast in Oakland Park, Coconut Creek and Everglades in Miramar.

■ 3 charter high schools surge

Charter schools, which have traditionally focused more on K-8 students, are starting to become more popular with high school students in Broward County. Enrollment spiked at several charter high schools, including Avant Gard Academy in Hollywood (107 to 552), Franklin Academy high school in Pembroke Pines (494 to 695) and Somerset Academy High in Pembroke Pines (886 to 1,049).

■ 4,860 students This is the total population of Cypress Bay High in Weston, the largest high school in the state. It added 150 more students this year. ■ 1,150 fewer elementary students

Elementary school enrollment dropped by this figure in Broward County, with the largest drops in third and fourth grades. Three Fort Lauderdale elementary schools lost at least 15 percent of their students. They are North Side Elementary in Fort Lauderdale, the district’s only F-rated school; Mary M. Bethune

Elementary, which fell from a C to a D; and Bennett Elementary in Fort Lauderdale, where many complaints of mold have been reported. ■ 600 more middle school students

Middle school enrollment was up by this number in Broward County, including a jump of 10 percent at Apollo in Hollywood and 9 percent at Westpine in Sunrise.

■ 11 Palm Beach high schools see decrease

Enrollment fell at 11 of Palm Beach County’s 23 high schools, including Lake Worth High, which lost 233 students, and Boca Raton High, where the population fell by 161. Some schools grew, including Olympic Heights High in Boca Raton, which added 136 students.

■ 100 seats over

Some crowded schools in Palm Beach County have become even more crowded: Calusa Elementary in Boca Raton got 46 additional pupils and is filled with almost 100 more bodies than it was designed to hold.

Calusa is popular among parents, who say they know it’s past its capacity but are not looking for alternatives.

“I can’t complain. We have had only amazing teachers,” said Gina Shugar, mother of a fourth-grader. “The principal has streamlined drop-off and changed the foot-traffic patterns, so even though there are so many kids, it still works.”

“Parents are very fickle. They want more choices, and that’s what you’ll continue to witness, fluctuation back and forth.” Ralph Arza, director of government relations for the Florida Charter School Alliance