Student enrollment in the Hanover School Division right now is way lower than expected.

In any given year, the divisions’ projected enrollment number is based on community growth rates and birth rates and is usually accurate within less than 100. However this year, because of COVID-19, Superintendent Shelley Amos says that number was off big time.

“We had originally budgeted about 8,476 students for our division but, as of September 30th, we were at 7,738,” she states. “So, quite significantly lower.”

Data provided by the Hanover School DivisionWhile there was some general movement in and out of Hanover’s catchment area this past summer, Amos says the 738 student deficit can largely be attributed to an invigorated interest in homeschooling.

“We have a large number of families choosing homeschooling as a direct result of COVID-19 and not wanting their kids to be in public spaces,” she affirms. Roughly 500 students within Hanover are being homeschooled this semester which, Amos notes, is two times more than usual.

The grade with the largest dissonance between projected numbers and actual enrollment numbers is kindergarten with 94 fewer students than anticipated. In general, Amos says grades K-8 are experiencing a more significant population decline than those in high school.

Perhaps surprisingly, having fewer students does not mean needing fewer staff members.

“We are not reducing our staff,” says the superintendent, stressing the increased need arising from the pandemic. “In fact, we have added another 16.5 over and above our formula to support kids in schools.”

She adds that kids being homeschooled can opt back into public school at any time and the division needs to be prepared for that.