Parkland Has Slight Increase in Kindergarten Enrollment

Kindergarten enrollment in the Parkland School District is up slightly.

Based on new registrations in March, kindergarten enrollment for the 2013-2014 school year is projected to be at 449 students across the district's eight elementary schools, Assistant Superintendent Rod Troutman said.

That marks a 17 student increase from 2012-2013, when 432 kindergarten students enrolled.

Troutman said the kindergarten enrollment numbers could rise another 10 percent before next school year rolls around.

"A number under 500 [students] is kind of low for us," Troutman said.

According to numbers released by the district, kindergarten registration last cracked the 500 student mark in 2010, with 503 students on the rolls. Prior to that, 2004 and 2005 weighed in with 504 and 509 students, respectively.

Fogelsville Elementary School saw the highest jump in kindergarten registration with 78 students registered, up from 44 last year. Jaindl Elementary School registration rose to 86 students from 75 a year ago. Kratzer Elementary School's kindergarten rolls moved up to 49 students from 42 a year ago.

Troutman said the district's kindergarten registrations are relatively static, due to less development throughout Upper Macungie Township, South Whitehall Township and North Whitehall Township.

"In North and South Whitehall Township, there are a total of 10 building permits outstanding," Troutman said. "The Jaindl [school] area is where you see more pockets of growth. South Whitehall Township is built out and there's [no new housing developments] planned in Upper Macungie."

Troutman said North Whitehall is the prime area for new housing developement, particularly if a sewer system is put in place.

"Right now, two-thirds of our sending districts are stagnant," he said.

As of March, 449 students district-wide had so far registered for next year's kindergarten classes, which are half-day programs. Here is a breakdown:

• Cetronia, 54
• Kratzer, 49
• Parkway Manor, 39
• Schnecksville, 47
• Fogelsville, 78
• Ironton, 57
• Jaindl, 86
• Kernsville, 39