News Release
Homer CCSD 33C
Goodings Grove Luther J. Schilling William E. Young William J. Butler
Hadley Middle Homer Jr. High
Contact: Charla Brautigam, Communications/Public Relations Manager
cbrautigam@homerschools.org | 708-226-7628
For Immediate Release:
Sept. 26, 2017
Kindergarten enrollment skyrockets in Homer 33C
District to create more rigorous enrollment process
A bumper crop of kindergartners entered Homer Community Consolidated School District 33C this fall, compelling the district to open three additional classrooms.
Administrators had expected 340 students to enroll in kindergarten this year. They were surprised when 411 completed the registration process.
“Kindergarten was an absolute surprise to us,” Michael Portwood, Director of Human Resources, reported at a special Homer 33C Board of Education meeting on Sept. 21. “Usually, we see a 1 ½ to 2 percent growth average. This year, we surpassed that mark with 21 percent growth at the kindergarten level. That was very atypical.”
When projecting enrollment each year, administrators look at birth rates, residential development data and past enrollment trends.
The statistics have worked well in the past. But this year, a new factor entered the picture: more families enrolling their children under affidavits — meaning they are not homeowners themselves but declare they live with another family in the district.
Many of those filing the affidavits are adult children who have moved back in with their parents with their own children, said Superintendent Kara Coglianese, bringing three generations under one roof.
These types of changes are difficult to plan for, she added. And, if the trend continues, the district may be forced to revert back to half-day kindergarten because there won’t be enough space to accommodate every child in a full-day program.
The district, which began offering a full-day kindergarten program two years ago, has discussed moving to an on-line enrollment process next year with annual residency checks.
In addition, administrators are working with the district’s attorney to create a more rigorous enrollment process.
Overall, Homer 33C saw a 2.6 percent increase in enrollment, bringing its total count up to 3,682 — 47 students more than last year.
Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/homer33c?fref=ts&ref=br_tf
