A record 7,100-plus students officially enrolled in Dripping Springs ISD schools during the first week of classes, according to a district report.
However, the official count was slightly lower than an estimate provided in March by the district’s demographer.
Per a Population and Survey Analysts (PASA) report, DSISD had been projected to have more than 7,304 students at the start of the 2019-20 school year, which accounted for a 7.3% population increase.
Of all seven campuses in the district, Dripping Springs High experienced the highest growth with a 12.7% increase from last school year.
DSISD officials said roughly 7,181 students were enrolled as of the first week of classes. Overall, DSISD experienced a 4.65% population increase from the 2018-19 school year.
But Dale Whitaker, DSISD executive director of communications, said expected increases in enrollment during the school year could keep the district within PASA’s projections.
DSHS moving up?
Of all seven campuses in the district, Dripping Springs High experienced the highest growth with a 12.7% increase from last school year.
DSISD officials said Dripping Springs High now has 2,154 students. The increase is due mostly because of the incoming freshman class, which is the district’s largest at any grade level with 622 students.
Whitaker said PASA’s estimated population increase for Dripping Springs High was “almost exactly what was projected.”
According to the release, DSISD is already planning for an increase in student population at Dripping Springs High with the construction of a new wing.
The project, which was approved as part of the district’s 2016 bond package, will increase Dripping Springs High’s student population from 1,850 to more than 2,500 students. DSISD officials estimate the wing will be completed by the 2020-21 school year.
However, growth has now placed Dripping Springs High at the doorstep of the 6A ranks in academics and athletics.
Per the University Interscholastic League, schools with 2,190 or more students are considered 6A, which is the highest classification level for academics and athletics.
Currently, Dripping Springs High competes at the 5A level, which ranges from 1,150 students to 2,189.
Realignment for the 2020 and 2021 seasons takes place in February, with cutoff figures subject to change.
Growth seen in middle, elementary campuses
Meanwhile, Dripping Springs Middle School and Sycamore Springs Middle School are close in student population numbers, which remained consistent from the 2018-19 school year.
DSMS has a current enrollment of 839 students, which was an eight-student increase from the spring, while SSMS lost eight students during that time frame.
Meanwhile, two elementary schools had a jump in enrollment, while two others kept a steady student populace since 2018-19.
Sycamore Springs Elementary has 931 students, which is an increase of 5.5 percent, and Dripping Springs Elementary is up to 902 students, an increase of 6.5 percent.
Rooster Springs Elementary starts the year with the exact number of students that were enrolled at the end of last year: 834. Walnut Springs Elementary has experienced a 3.8 percent decrease and now has 719 students.
