District projected to grow over the next 10 years

More students will be entering Stillwater Area Public Schools in the next decade, according to a recent demographic study. Projections show that the district’s K-12 enrollment will grow by more than 300 students in the next 5 years, and by nearly 1,000 in the next 10 years. The potential growth could be even higher if the district is able to recapture students who choose other options, like private and charter schools. 

Most of the growth will come from communities like Lake Elmo and Woodbury, where new homes are already under construction and future development is slated. Demographers also pointed out that birth rates are on the rise in our community and projected that the birth to 4-year-old population would grow 5.6% in the next 5 years. 

The boost in enrollment will have an impact on school buildings across the district. The report identified several schools that are already near capacity and are projected to be over capacity in the coming years, including Afton-Lakeland, Andersen and Lake Elmo elementary schools and Oak-Land Middle School. 

District leaders will be considering various ways to prepare for the growth, including a possible bond referendum in the fall to add capacity at the elementary and middle school levels and address known issues in aging facilities.