Local schools show growing enrollment numbers

Ash Grove, Republic, Willard school districts all see uptick in student body total during return
 
With the school year fully back in swing, area schools have their student enrollment totals for the new academic season. Ash Grove, Republic and Willard have shown growth across the board. Ash Grove ended last year with 796 students and is currently sitting at 809 as of this September, an increase of nine students. Republic ended last year with 5,325 students and this year has 5,383, an increase of 58. Willard had an enrollment of 4,400 students this year, compared to 4,349 at the same time last year, an increase of 51.

Medlin cites good start
“The year is off to a positive and busy start,” Ash Grove Superintendent Shane Medlin said. “We have adopted a new ELA curriculum to align our K-8 literacy instruction. Implementing a new district-wide curriculum is a big lift. Our teachers have been using the Monday professional development time to dive into this work to help us support student learning. Our students are having successful football and volleyball seasons, and the AG band has already won the Walnut Festival competition. We are excited to break ground on our safe room additions and other improvement projects through Proposition Pirates in January.”
Ash Grove School District 2024 enrollment:
Pre-Kindergarten: 54
Kindergarten: 60
First grade: 59
Second grade: 48
Third grade: 64
Fourth grade: 56
Fifth grade: 67
Sixth grade: 58
Seventh grade: 55
Eighth grade: 46
Ninth grade: 66
10th grade: 48
11th grade: 48
12th grade: 54

Ash Grove School District 2025 enrollment
(increase of 9 students):
Pre-Kindergarten: 37
Kindergarten: 63
First grade: 65
Second grade: 56
Third grade: 50
Fourth grade: 65
Fifth grade: 59
Sixth grade: 66
Seventh grade: 58
Eighth grade: 62
Ninth grade: 46
10th grade: 68
11th grade: 50
12th grade: 48
Pearce shouts out new Republic intermediate school
When asked about how the school year has gone to this point, Republic Superintendent Matt Pearce said that the new intermediate school has been a highlight.
“The school year has gotten off to a great start,” he said. “The new Intermediate school was opened and has been thriving. Students, staff, and parents seem very happy with the physical space and the focus on academics, culture, and leadership during the school day! Opening a brand new building is not easy, but the RepMO team did a great job of preparation, logistics planning, and communication to open the building with nearly 800 students in a way that supported students, teachers, and families.”

Republic School District 2024 enrollment:
Pre-Kindergarten: 208
Kindergarten: 378
First grade: 374
Second grade: 390
Third grade: 416
Fourth grade: 394
Fifth grade: 392
Sixth grade: 400
Seventh grade: 392
Eighth grade: 419
Ninth grade: 412
10th grade: 387
11th grade: 390
12th grade: 346

Republic School District 2025 enrollment (increase of 58 students):
Pre-Kindergarten: 213
Kindergarten: 340
First grade: 406
Second grade: 397
Third grade: 421
Fourth grade: 424
Fifth grade: 396
Sixth grade: 395
Seventh grade: 411
Eighth grade: 400
Ninth grade: 419
10th grade: 401
11th grade: 366
12th grade: 356

Willard off to great start this year
According to Willard Superintendent Eric Wilken, the beginning of the year has gone off without a hitch.
“The school year is off to a great start,” he said. “Our students and staff have settled in quickly, and there’s a lot of positive energy throughout the district. Fall sports and activities are going strong, and it’s been awesome to see our students representing Willard with pride — both on the field and in the classroom.”

Willard School District 2024 enrollment
Kindergarten: 313
First grade: 292
Second grade: 361
Third grade: 319
Fourth grade: 344
Fifth grade: 322
Sixth grade: 323
Seventh grade: 345
Eighth grade: 360
Ninth grade: 384
10th grade: 356
11th grade: 354
12th grade: 287

Willard School District 2025 enrollment (increase of 51 students):
Kindergarten: 335
First grade: 321
Second grade: 308
Third grade: 375
Fourth grade: 321
Fifth grade: 356
Sixth grade: 335
Seventh grade: 324
Eighth grade: 349
Ninth grade: 392
10th grade: 319
11th grade: 337
12th grade: 325