Enrollment down in Willard, Republic as Ash Grove continues to grow

Local students made their ways back to school as instruction began for many area schools last week.
 
Some area schools saw their enrollment decrease on the new year. Ash Grove R-IV continued to grow steadily, seeing increases similar to previous years.
 
Ash Grove
Ash Grove grew at a respectable pace this year. Enrollment was up by a count of 13 students as school began. Ash Grove Superintendent Shane Medlin said this growth is due to a multitude of factors but that the small-town atmosphere is enticing to some.
 
“Ash Grove continues to be a district that attracts families looking for a small town feel that offers plenty of student opportunities,” said Medlin. “Our proximity to Springfield amenities while offering a hometown feel makes Ash Grove an ideal community and district for families not wanting to be a part of a larger school system. Also, our district has a great reputation of success.  This, combined with the recent growth we have seen in the housing and land development projects, makes this a desirable location for families to settle.”
 
Enrollment last year sat at 807 students; this year, that number climbed to 820.
 
Republic
Republic saw its enrollment decrease, deviating from the district’s usual trend in recent years. Republic Superintendent Tyler Overstreet said that fewer families with young children are moving into the district.
 
“The district's latest demographic study shows that, while Republic has more and more homes being built, that growth is not reflected in student enrollment,” said Overstreet. “Through the study, we learned many of the families moving into the new homes in our community have adult children rather than school-aged children. After several years of an increasing student population, we are now seeing enrollment remaining similar to last year.”
 
Enrollment last year was measured at 5,242; this year, 5,160. This conflicts with numbers presented at the August Board of Education meeting, which showed enrollment growing slightly from last year.
 
Willard
Willard too saw a slight decline in its student population. This year, the district saw a decrease of two students. Third grade enrollment took the biggest hit as the district lost 58 students when compared to last year. Fourth grade enrollment nearly made up for these losses as it gained 50 students.
 
The district’s enrollment sat at 4,398 this year; last year, the district boasted 4,400 students.