Enrollment: Headcount Up; Certified Down Slightly

October is a very busy month for school administrators in Iowa, as a plethora of state reporting occurs. None may be more important than certifying our enrollment. October 1 is the Official Count Day, and that is the day we take a census of the number of students we have in our school district. This enrollment census is critical because it provides the first key variable necessary for budgeting the 2026-2027 school year. Once we have taken that count on October 1, the following two weeks are used to reconcile those numbers with other school districts, ensuring students who are open enrolled, attending private schools, or who are homeschooled are property accounted for. Today then, October 15th is the date those numbers are certified with the state. To view the complete report, please follow this link.

When considering preschool through twelfth grade enrollment, the district is currently serving 924 students, which is slightly less than last year. Kindergarten through twelfth grade enrollment on October 1 was 877 students, which was less than projected through a student conducted by RSP and Associates. That study predicted enrollment would be 893. Although this difference is notable, the headcount, or number of students attending Hudson School is up 8 students from last year at the same time period. Up is good, but this less than expected and could be indicative of a softening economy. 

Certified enrollment describes students with a physical address of Hudson and includes students who attend school in Hudson or open enroll to another public-school district. Our certified number is down 8.54 students from last year. The basic calculation is the number of resident students attending in the local district, plus the number of resident students attending another public-school district. The BEDS count, on the other hand considers students who are served in the school district. The basic calculation here is resident students attending our school district, plus those who are open enrolled into Hudson. In this case, there is a net increase of 5.10 students over last year from 876.64 to 881.74, or a .58% enrollment increase. This is less than expected.

The number of students open enrolling out of Hudson has also increased from 69 to 73 with just over half choosing Cedar Falls (33). The second spot belongs to a host of online options, with (13) Hudson residents attending those programs, followed by (12) in Gladbrook-Reinbeck. There are 185 students open enrolling into Hudson, compared to 170 from a year ago. Waterloo continues to lead, with (117) students open enrolling into Hudson, up from (114) a year ago. Our data suggests (11) students taking advantage of the ESA program, up from (5) one a year ago. The primary takeaway is that a net positive of 113 students (those open enrolled in minus those open enrolled out) is a very good sign for the district.  

We had 41 students who were enrolled last year but have subsequently transferred out or moved to another school district. This compares to 39 students who moved out last year and would suggest a more transient population of learners.

Elementary grade levels remain the largest, with 4 sections per grade level from grades K-3. Even while considering a slight dip in enrollment this current year, the district anticipates a four-section grade level pattern to continue matriculating across the district. Even so, a deliberate decision has been made to cap open enrollment. This is being done purposefully in order to accommodate the increase in resident ‘attending’ students. The strategy being employed will be to counterbalance residential enrollment with open enrollment. As residential enrollment increases, open enrollment will decrease; which is illustrated in this report. While the challenges of staffing remain real, the fact is that residential enrollment growth will undoubtedly add additional strain to our system.  

Enrollment projections used in this study are calculated based on a cohort methodology that uses a five-year rolling average to determine kindergarten size. Over the last 5 years, the kindergarten has averaged 76 students; while in the last 10 years it has averaged 65.5. Based on both residential enrollment growth coupled with open enrollment, a projection of 76 seems to be right, particularly since open enrollment from Waterloo is not anticipated to drop off. With this methodology, estimates from prior years are left static since there is no algorithm to accurately predict transfers in or out of the district. If these projections were come to fruition, we will reach a current high-water mark of 970 in 2030-2031. 

However, during the last school year, the school district contracted with RSP and Associates to conduct an enrollment study for the school district. As mentioned in the opening paragraph, this estimation was slightly off what was predicted. Yet, it is important to note the RSP work suggest K-12 enrollment topping 1,011 during the 2029-2030 academic year. This should not be interpreted as one model being superior to the other, but they instead should be viewed as complementary instruments that utilize different methodologies. While this analysis is markedly different from the cohort methodology deployed by today's report, both models suggest rapid enrollment growth; particularly evidenced by smaller class sizes graduating from high school and larger class sizes entering kindergarten. To compare the results of both reports, please visit the 'About Us' section of our website. 

Homecoming 2025

The concept of homecoming has its roots in the early 19th century when it was first adopted by colleges and universities to as a way to welcome back alumni around a major athletic event. According to legend, the athletic director at the University of Missouri was looking for a way to boost attendance at the annual rivalry football game during the 1911 'Border War' contest with the University of Kansas. What better way to do so then inviting back alumni for a weekend celebration that included pep rallies, bon fires, and parades; all culminating in the big game? The model for the modern homecoming celebration was born. By the 1950s, it was ubiquitous in high schools all around the nation.

My relationship with homecoming over the years has been, well a bit complicated. Perhaps I'm a bit stubborn but as illustrated above, homecoming at its roots was about the alumni. Factor in the consideration that at one time, what had been a weekend celebration has morphed into a weeklong interruption to the normal and regular operation of the institution. The potential for chaos keeps me awake at night! One may think a day of dressing a certain way is pretty benign, but perhaps a visit to the kindergarten wing during 'dress like your teacher day' might be a good way to test that theory! I know, I know. I'm a fun hater, right? Hold on a moment, I did say this was complicated!

On one hand it is critically important that we never lose sight of the primary purpose we exist. To that end, we strive to make every moment count and ensure that instructional time-those minutes we use to educate the youth of our community are not wasted. I remind our staff at the beginning of each year of the enormous responsibility they carry and the job they must do-and the fact they have 180 days in which to do it. 

Yet, the other side of the same coin would remind us that while the work we do is incredibly important, there is no prohibition in having fun while doing it! Many times in this missive I have extolled the virtues of the American public school system while drawing comparisons with our counterparts in other countries. Where those systems do not include robust activity programs (art, music, athletics), ours does. Indeed, homecoming is a uniquely American experience and one that, in spite of my 'complicated relationship' am proud to celebrate.

What had at one time been a gimmick to pack the stands a rivalry football game has evolved into something much more. Homecoming does still have that element of welcoming home our alumni. But now, it is about school and community pride. In the final analysis perhaps now, [more so] that really is the nexus of what this thing we call homecoming is all about. After all, the first thing most people see when they are approaching the gateway view of our small Iowa town is a water tower emblazoned with the Pirate logo. We wear navy and white because we are proud not just of our school, but we are proud of where we are from. We wear navy and white because we are inspired by the accomplishments of our students. We are proud of what they are able to achieve in the classroom and on the field of play. We are appreciative and satisfied when we hear the stories of our students who have set examples that, at one time were nurtured and cultivated within our own halls, and now serve as an inspiration for those who follow in their footsteps.

In my view, Homecoming 2025 was a tremendous success. Not just because of the huge upset win at the game on Friday night, but also the spirit, joy, and excitement the week brought to our students and community. The annual chili supper at the fire station. The pep rallies. The homecoming dance. The game. And yes, the dress up days. Thanks to everyone who worked so hard in planning the week!