Irvington Schools Anticipate Enrollment Jump

IRVINGTON, N.Y. – Irvington school officials are anticipating an increase in enrollment this year, reversing a steady decline in past years and throwing off previous projections.

The district expects 1,790 students this year, which is about 50 more students than a 2011 projection. School officials said the increase is due to a kindergarten enrollment that was much higher than expected.

“We can only speculate that as homes are sold by older owners, families with children are moving in,” District Clerk Elaine Cardea said.

Enrollment is affected by increased housing and demographic charges, school officials noted last October.

Assistant Superintendent for Business Beverly Miller noted a 2009 study had the district's enrollment dropping to 1,707 by 2012-13, but she anticipated more families with kids moving to Irvington in place of those who leave.

The 2011 projections had the district losing 20 students and bringing enrollment down to 1,740, with school officials reluctant to go lower.

“I'm estimating the loss of a few students, but there's not a significant number of gains or losses of students to impact the teaching staff at this time,” Miller said last year. “I don't foresee any major housing starts in the district or any major fluctuations” that would impact enrollment.”

The Westchester-Putnam School Boards Association shows Irvington's enrollment has been steadily declining since at least 2007, when the district had 1,971 students.

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