Overcrowding At Cherry Hill Schools Could Change Elementary Enrollment

CHERRY HILL, NJ — The Cherry Hill School District wants to redraw the boundary lines that determine each elementary school's student body.

The district has about a dozen elementary schools — some of which will face overcrowding issues as student enrollment grows in the coming years. To address these challenges, school officials want to redetermine which students attend each school.

An Elementary Redistricting Plan will be presented to the Board of Education early next year and then implemented by 2030.

Next month, the district will host three meetings to gather public input on the matter:

• Nov. 13 at Cherry Hill High School East
• Nov. 18 at Cherry Hill High School West
• Nov. 20 on Zoom (link to be provided)

All meetings start at 7 p.m.

"By achieving more balanced enrollment, we will ensure all students have access to resources, maintain optimal class sizes, and support the academic and social-emotional needs of all our young learners," the district said in a statement. "This thoughtful and necessary adjustment will strengthen our schools and community for years to come."

The district has 12 elementary schools serving Grades K-5, plus the Estelle V. Malberg Early Childhood Center for Pre-Kindergarten.

Five of the elementary schools — Clara Barton, Joyce Kilmer, Horace Mann, Richard Stockton, and Woodcrest — are expected to have capacity issues by the 2028-29 school year, according to a demographic study released last year.

The district is exploring several solutions, including redrawing the boundary lines that determine enrollment at each elementary school and converting the Lewis Administration Building into an elementary institution.

Elementary student populations will be rebalance by 2030, as part of Cherry Hill's 5-year strategic plan.

The Elementary Redistricting Committee will provide updates on its progress from October through December, when several community-input sessions will take place.

In January, a finalized redistricting proposal will be presented to the Board of Education. The board will vote on it in February, according to the outlined strategic plan.