Oregon Public School Enrollment Increases During 2006-07

Oregon’s public school enrollment has increased nine times during the last ten years.

North Salem High School. Photo: Salem-News.com

(SALEM) - State Schools Superintendent Susan Castillo has announced that the total number of Oregon elementary and secondary students enrolled in public schools continues to increase steadily.

According to counts reported by school districts, Oregon has 562,828 public school students – an increase of 3,613 since last year (+0.6%).

Growth was again uneven across the state, with the largest enrollment increases in the Portland suburbs, Salem and central Oregon.

Here are the 2006-07 enrollment figures for the state’s ten largest districts and the percentage change from last year:

1. Portland 46,348 (-1.4%) 2. Salem-Keizer 39,585 (+1.7%) 3. Beaverton 37,719 (+2.9%) 4. Hillsboro 20,077 (+1.8%) 5. Eugene 18,312 (-0.7%) 6. Bend-LaPine 17,436 (+2.6%) 7. North Clackamas 16,987 (+2.7%) 8. Tigard-Tualatin 12,544 (+1.6%) 9. Medford 12,465 (-0.6%) 10. Gresham-Barlow 12,053 (+0.2%)

Hispanic students accounted for the largest increase in student population, growing by 6,117 students over last year (+7.3%).

Reflecting the change in Oregon’s statewide demographics during the past few years, minority student enrollment continued to increase, while white student enrollment decreased.

“The report is further evidence of the changing face of Oregon’s schools,” Castillo said. “Growing classes and growing diversity team up to create increased need more teachers, more professional development, and more financial resources to ensure that every student is successful.”

“The Governor’s proposed budget of $6.06 billion is a great reinvestment in our classrooms and includes a fund to help our schools fill specific gaps after years of cuts. I’m asking legislators to approve a budget of $6.3 billion, enabling our schools to make targeted improvements that will lead to greater success for our students."

"We can not expect our schools to rise to the challenge of the new requirements without these critical resources. Oregon educators have gotten good at doing a lot with a little. Let’s give them what they need to meet these new challenges and help their students succeed.”