BVSD’s early-year enrollment numbers well-surpass projected 160 increase
Jill Meier/BV Journal
Donning the familiary Dr. Seuss hats, Brandon Elementary student council members head into school after welcoming students back to school on Aug. 19.
Jill Meier/BV Journal
Brandon Elementary second-grader Aria Olson colorfully bopped her way into school on the first day of the new school year last week. Olson is one of 4,644 students enrolled at Brandon Valley Schools this year.
Once again, the Brandon Valley School District is seeing a significant increase in its enrollment numbers.
With a 160-student increase forecasted, BVSD’s tentative enrollment well-surpassed that total with 217 more students over last year’s 4,409 enrollment tally. On Monday – the fourth day of the new school year – BV’s enrollment count hit 4,644.
“Our numbers at this point appear to be very healthy,” said Superintendent Dr. Jarod Larson, “and we are set up to handle this student growth.”
The 4,644 student numbers jump to 4,678 when the early childhood students are included in the count.
The combined four elementary schools account for 1,881 students, while Brandon Valley Intermediate School (grades 5 and 6) welcomed 706 students through the doors last week. Brandon Valley Middle School (grades 7 and 8) boasts a count of 712, and the tentative high school numbers come in at 1,345, which includes 21 TeachWell students.
The early-school year enrollment increase isn’t set in stone, Larson said, noting he’ll present more definitive numbers in mid-September.
Approximately 350 BVSD students opted for distance learning this year. For the elementary grades, five educators have been assigned to teach students online this year.
And though the BVSD Board of Education voted to make masks optional this year, Larson reports that 50 to 70 students in BV buildings are wearing cloth face masks.
