School districts predict increased enrollment

ELGIN – Elgin Public Schools will likely experience an increase in enrollment as new military families move into the district, Superintendent Nathaniel Meraz said.

“Right now, we are full and at capacity, but that doesn’t matter. Military families can choose where they want to go,” he said. “There’s no way to predict how many new (military) families there will be. We’ll figure it out.”

Elgin Public Schools showed 2,321 students at the end of the 2020-2021 school term, but ended the next school year with 2,482 students, which was expected because of parents returning their children to in-person schooling following the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Based on history, we should have more students to begin this school year than we did last year,” Meraz said. “It may vary from grade level, but we’re confident of having more students.”

New student enrollment for students in Pre-K through fourth grade will be held 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 27-28. Pre-K and first grade students will enroll at the Lower Elementary building while second through fourth grade students will enroll at the second grade building.

Fifth through eighth grade students will enroll 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 2-3. Fifth and sixth grade students will enroll at the sixth grade building while seventh and eighth grade students will enroll at the seventh and eighth grade building.

New student enrollment for high school students will begin Aug. 2 by appointment only and conclude Aug. 8. Parents should call (580) 492-3670 beginning Aug. 1 to set up an appointment.

All new students must have proof of residency, shot records, birth certificate, withdraw form or transcript from a previous school.

Parents can expedite the process by visiting the website www.hs.elginps.org/for_parents/enrollment_packets.

For more questions about enrollment, parents can contact Elgin High School Principal Curtis Lorah at [email protected].

Sterling enrollment

New Sterling Superintendent John Pinkston anticipates some student growth, but he’s unsure about any estimate this early.

Pinkston replaced former Superintendent Kent Lemons about two weeks ago.

“We’ll be OK because our class is 35,” he said. “Now, if all of a sudden, we have a huge jump, then we might have to find a teacher in July or August. So, that might be a challenge.”

The school district office has fielded calls about possible transfers, but nothing has been finalized, Pinkston said.

Enrollment for all elementary as well as high school juniors and seniors will be 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 28. Students in seventh through 10th grade can enroll July 29. Any other students can enroll Aug. 1-2.

All standard paperwork, including proof of residency and shot records, will be required.

Fletcher enrollment

Superintendent Shane Gilbreath expects Fletcher school district will have typical student enrollment with some increase due, in part, to military families.

“We really won’t know until August 1,” he said, “but we do expect some new students. We have our share of military families because they don’t want to live in Lawton, and Elgin is getting bigger. And we’re only a 20-minute drive from Fort Sill.”

The Fletcher district usually has 20-30 new students enroll during the entire school term, he said. A new housing addition under construction should bring Fletcher added student growth in about two years, Gilbreath said.

Meet the Teacher Night will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Aug. 9. Students can bring supplies and meet their teachers. Returning students will be given a new packet from their teacher to fill out.

Meanwhile, new students to the district may enroll beginning Aug. 1.

New students will need proof of residency, shot records, birth certificate and Social Security card.