Public school enrollment still down, even as rural districts grow

Smaller districts in Snohomish County seem to be recovering more quickly — and gaining students — than their urban counterparts.

NO CAPTION. Logo to accompany news of education.

EVERETT — How the pandemic affected your local school’s enrollment depends on where you live.

Data released by the state superintendent on Friday indicates schools in some of Snohomish County’s most rural communities are growing, even as urban districts struggle to recover from pandemic-related losses.

Overall, public school enrollment is still down from pre-pandemic years. The number of students in the county decreased about 4.4%, or about 5,000 students fewer in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade than at the height of enrollment, according to state data. Statewide enrollment followed a similar trend, down 4% this school year, compared to 2019-20, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal said in a January press conference.

“We are on the incline once again, but I want to be clear I do not anticipate a rapid recovery in student enrollments,” Reykdal said.

The question on everyone’s mind right now is where those students went, said W. Les Kendrick, a demographer with Educational Data Solutions in Seattle. Kendrick works with several districts in the region to prepare enrollment projections.

Enrollment losses are “much worse than I would have thought, and I did not predict there would be this poor of recovery from the pandemic,” Kendrick said.

State reports show an increase in “home-based instruction,” so some students probably left public schools for home-school options, Kendrick said. Others might have opted for private school and online learning academies, while some may have moved out of state altogether.

“There are select private schools where we have seen increases, but not necessarily everywhere,” Kendrick said. “And there may just be more kids homeschooling. … We just don’t know for sure.”

Although public school enrollment hasn’t rebounded in Snohomish County, recovery varies widely between districts, Kendrick said. In fact, some districts actually have more students now than before COVID.

That’s the case for Granite Falls, Sultan, Lakewood, Lake Stevens and Stanwood-Camano, according to state data.

Four of those five districts also appear in the top five smallest districts in Snohomish County. Granite Falls, for example, has about 2,300 students, up 7.7% from 2019-20.

“I think the current trend is just more housing development in the outlying regions, and it’s more affordable there,” Kendrick said. “So you see places (growing) like Arlington, Stanwood-Camano and even little Granite Falls.”

Some of those students might be relocating from larger districts in the county. For example, some families who left the Mukilteo School District indicated they were moving north to a more rural community, said Diane Bradford, the district’s spokesperson.

Although those moves don’t account for all of the district’s enrollment losses — the 15,000-student district is still down about 5.7% from pre-pandemic days — they do follow an anecdotal trend in the region, she said.

“During the pandemic, we did see some families who moved from more urban or suburban areas out to more rural areas,” Bradford said. “So that’s why I think some of our neighboring large school districts are seeing similar enrollment drops, but some of our smaller more bedroom communities are seeing an increased, or at least neutral, enrollment.”

The pattern might be powered by a new approach to the work world, Kendrick said. The pandemic opened more opportunities for remote work, and some families factored that flexibility into home purchases.

“Some people may not have to commute everyday, so living farther out is probably not a big deal,” Kendrick said.

Mallory Gruben is a Report for America corps member who writes about education for The Daily Herald.

Mallory Gruben: 425-339-3035; mallory.gruben@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @MalloryGruben.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Oliver Popa, 7, poses with his book, "Drippey Plants a Garden," on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds 7-year-old publishes children’s book featuring ‘Drippey’ the bee

Oliver Popa’s first grade teacher said he should publish a longer version of a writing assignment. A year later, his mother — a publisher — helped made it happen.

Don Sharrett talks John Wrice through his trimming technique on Friday, March 14, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett barber school offers $5 haircuts — if you’re brave enough

Students get hands-on practice. Willing clients get a sweet deal.

Employees and patrons of the Everett Mall signed a timeline mural that traces the history of the 51-year-old indoor mall that was once considered the premier place to go shopping in the city. Thursday, March 20, 2025 (Aaron Kennedy / The Herald)
Mall mural offers nostalgic trip into the past

Past and present Everett Mall employees joined customers Thursday to view an artistic timeline of the once popular shopping mecca.

Percy Levy, who served 17 years for drug-related crimes, outside his new business Redemption Auto along Highway 99 on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett man, arrested on drugs, weapons charges, moved to federal detention

In addition to Percy Levy, U.S. marshals transferred a second suspect in the case to federal custody.

2025 Emerging Leader Anthony Hawley (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Anthony Hawley: Creating friendships and filling pantries

Since 2021, Hawley has increased donations to Lake Stevens Community Food Bank through fundraising and building donor relationships.

Gary Petershagen
Lake Stevens council member announces reelection run

Gary Petershagen is seeking a third term on the council.

2025 Emerging Leader Megan Kemmett (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Megan Kemmett: Seeking solutions to any problem or obstacle

Executive director of Snohomish Community Food Bank overcomes obstacles to keep people fed.

Director for the Snohomish County Health Department Dennis Worsham leads a short exercise during the Edge of Amazing event on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department faces up to $3.4 million in cuts

The two federal grants provided funding for immunizations and disease prevention awareness efforts.

2025 Emerging Leader DeLon Lewis (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
DeLon Lewis: Helping students succeed

Program specialist for Everett Community College believes leadership is about building bridges.

Daron Johnson, who runs Snohomish County Scanner, stands next to his scanner setup on Tuesday, April 1 in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Snohomish County law enforcement to encrypt police airwaves

The plan for civilian police scanners to go dark pushed a host to shut down his popular breaking news feed.

Richie Gabriel, 1, jumps off the bottom of the slide as Matthew Gabriel looks down at him from the play structure at Hummingbird Hill Park on Monday, March 31, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds residents show up for Hummingbird Hill Park, Frances Anderson Center

After a two-and-a-half hour public comment session, the council tabled its votes for the two comprehensive plan amendments.

Students Haddie Shorb, 9, left, and brother Elden Shorb, 11, right, lead the ground breaking at Jackson Elementary School on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett Public Schools breaks ground on Jackson Elementary replacement

The $54 million project will completely replace the aging elementary school. Students are set to move in by the 2026-27 school year.