Notable Numbers – April 2024

3% Enrollment Growth in 5 Years

Over the last 5 years, the median total enrollment growth rate among INDEX schools was 3%, with some regional variations. The Mid-Atlantic, West, and East had 5-year growth rates between 1.3% – 1.8%. New England and the Mid-West had median growth rates between 2.1% – 2.8%, and the Southeast and Southwest had median growth rates between 4% – 5%.

28% of Schools Grew Enrollment More Than 6%

Over the last 5 years, 28% of INDEX schools had enrollment growth of over 6%. Schools with more than 6% growth include 45% of Middle/Upper schools, 35% of PK12 schools<750 students, 26% of the PK12 schools>750 students, and 11% of PK8 schools.

19% Had Negative 5-Year Enrollment Growth Rates

Over the last 5 years, 19% of INDEX schools had an enrollment decrease of more than 1%. Schools with a more than 1% decrease in enrollment include 43% of PK12 schools<750 students, 26% of PK-8 schools, 15% of Middle/Upper schools, and 10% of PK12 schools>750 students.

80% of Schools at Capacity

80% of INDEX schools are at capacity levels (I am somewhat arbitrarily counting any school with an enrollment-to-capacity ratio of 95% or greater as being at capacity.) Schools that are full include 100% of Middle/Upper Schools, 88% of PK12 schools>750 students, 57% of PK12 schools<750 students, and 54% of PK8 schools.  

0 Relationship between Enrollment Change and Tuition Pricing

There is no relationship in our INDEX data between Enrollment Change and Tuition Pricing. The R-Squared coefficient is 0, meaning that a change in enrollment cannot be explained by either the tuition price nor the size of the tuition increase.