Copyright Salt Lake Tribune
Utah’s public school population continues to nosedive — with the number of K-12 students enrolled this fall declining by the highest number yet in a dire, now three-year trend. That portends more school closures, dramatically less funding for the state’s classrooms and likely staff layoffs to come. Overall enrollment dropped by 11,478 students, or 1.7%, this fall for the 2025-26 school year, according to data released Wednesday. That’s the biggest decrease of public school students in the state for at least the past 25 years. And it’s nearly triple last year’s previously historic downturn. There are now 656,311 K-12 public school students, down from 667,789 last year when there was a 4,873 student dip, or 0.7% decline. In 2023, enrollment dropped 1,988 students. That means in just three consecutive years, the state’s system now has 18,339 fewer students. For comparison, Utah’s largest high school — Westlake High in Alpine School District — has 3,303 students. Simply put, the state has lost the equivalent enrollment of 5.5 Westlake Highs in that span. And for the first time, Utah now has fewer students than it did when it saw its first drop in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many shifted to online schooling and there were roughly 666,600 students total in public schools. Prior to that, there had been steady growth since 2014. The state’s superintendent, Molly Hart, pointed to the expected culprits in a statement Wednesday. “Utah’s enrollment trends mirror the broader demographic shifts we’re seeing nationwide — smaller birth cohorts, slowing in-migration and increased school choice,” Hart said. On increased school choice, the state is seeing more parents pulling their kids out to do home schooling and attend private institutions. The Utah Fits All voucher program is likely contributing to that, though the state doesn’t directly track numbers for private attendance. The state conducts an annual headcount of public K-12 students every year on Oct. 1, examining where they’re enrolled, in what grade levels and more. The enrollment numbers dictate how much money public school districts get each year from the state, and fewer students means less funding. With a drop as big as this year’s, that could mean losing millions. The loss, according to a news release from the Utah State Board of Education, was felt largely across the board. Of the 15 largest traditional school districts in the state, 14 experienced a downturn in enrollment this fall of more than 1%. Salt Lake City, Granite and Washington County school districts saw the most significant drops, with each falling 4.5%. Salt Lake City School District, in particular, has seen the most consistent enrollment struggles in recent years. Granite is currently looking at closing two elementary schools. Only two school districts — Beaver County and Tooele County — saw growth above 1%. Even charter schools, which are public but operate independently of an established district, weren’t immune. In past years, they have experienced much more reliable growth, and this year, charters overall grew by 3.6%. They now represent 13% of the state’s public school population. But 44 charter schools out of Utah’s 113 total also saw enrollment declines this year of 1% or more. Superintendent Hart does see a silver lining, though: The proportion of students requiring specialized services in education has risen over the last decade, including those with disabilities and those who are first-time English learners. She sees that as a chance for public schools to serve the most in-need populations. “Our focus remains,” Hart said, “on ensuring that every child, in every community, continues to receive a high-quality education, regardless of statewide fluctuations.” Additionally, students of color now make up a slightly higher percentage of K-12 enrollment in the state. This fall, they account for 31.2% of the school population, compared to 30.6% last year.
