Oakland Unified saw uptick in transitional kindergarten, drastic decline in newcomer enrollment this year

"Enrollment in Oakland Unified School District is on the rebound, but continued gains are uncertain as the district faces large unresolved deficits. During the first regular school board meeting of the year on Wednesday, OUSD's executive director of enrollment Kilian Betlach reported increases in transitional kindergarten enrollment, enrollment gains from charter school closures, and a collapse in enrollment by newcomer students. This year, OUSD's enrollment exceeded projections by more than 500 students, which means roughly $7 million more in state funding for the district."

"The enrollment department calculates projections using birth rates, retention rates, and new and available housing stock in Oakland. Betlach attributed the gains to the district's enrollment stabilization plan, which has allocated several million dollars to the effort since 2021. That last of that funding was allocated for this school year, composed of funds carried over from last year."

""For Oakland Unified to not only not be declining but to be growing in a single year - while one year of data is not a trend - is significant and something we should take pride in," Betlach told the school board."

Oakland Unified enrollment increased this year, exceeding projections by more than 500 students and generating roughly $7 million in additional state funding. Gains were driven by increased transitional kindergarten enrollment and boosts following charter school closures, while newcomer student enrollment collapsed. Eleven schools fell below projections and 64 schools exceeded projections, with 42 schools more than 5 percent above projections. Projections use birth rates, retention rates, and new and available housing stock in Oakland. The district allocated several million dollars since 2021 for an enrollment stabilization plan, using carried-over funds this school year. OUSD enrolls 1,413 transitional kindergarten students, added seven new TK classes, and some sites have waitlists exceeding 100. Continued enrollment gains remain uncertain due to large unresolved deficits.

Read at The Oaklandside