School Enrollment Drops

Sonora, CA — Overall school enrollment has dropped in Tuolumne County for the 14th consecutive year.

Figures from Superintendent of Schools Joe Silva’s office show that the estimated number of students enrolled this school year is 5,800, compared to 6,029 in 2010. Enrollment has been steadily declining since 1997, when the overall figure was 8,259. Silva notes that the early numbers are unofficial, and the final figures will be tabulated later this year.

A few schools have noticed their enrollment increase this year. The Sonora Union High School District has 109 additional students, Curtis Creek has 14, and the Big Oak Flat-Groveland Unified School District grew by 15.

Those that reported declines include Belleview, Jamestown, Sonora El, Soulsbyville, Summerville Elementary, Summerville High School District and the Twain Harte School District. The Superintendent of Schools Office reports that Columbia Elementary unofficially has the same number of students as last year, 586.

Schools watch the figures closely, because they receive funding based on the number of students enrolled.

To read an earlier story about Calaveras County enrollment, click here.