Student enrollment at Bend-La Pine Schools continues to increase and is up 371 students since this time last year. As of 9:30 a.m. today, the school district has 17,534 students enrolled, an increase of more than 2 percent above last year’s October 1 figure of 17,163. Bend-La Pine Schools was home to 680 students who were identified as homeless in the 2014-15 school year, according to a report out from the Oregon Department of Education.
During the past decade alone, enrollment in Bend-La Pine Schools has steadily increased, up more than 2,000 students.
“We are excited to welcome these new families and students to our district and communities,” said Superintendent Shay Mikalson. “Bend, La Pine and Sunriver are wonderful places to live and learn thanks to our exceptional staff and community members that support the great work taking place every day in our classrooms.”
The opening of two new schools this fall, which were funded through a construction bond passed by voters in 2013, helped the district to better balance enrollment among Bend area elementary and middle schools. The increase in enrollment this year brings the equivalent of more than 12 classrooms of students — or half of a middle school worth of students — to our schools.
Mikalson noted that Portland State University’s Center for Population Research estimates that the school district’s population will continue to grow during the next decade and is expected to reach 19,600 students by 2021. Based on today’s figures, the district remains on track for that projection.
680 Homeless Students Reported in Bend-La Pine Schools
Bend-La Pine Schools was home to 680 students who were identified as homeless in the 2014-15 school year, according to a report out from the Oregon Department of Education. That’s a slight increase from last year, when the state identified 650 homeless students in the district. The percentage of students reported as homeless was 3.97 percent, up from 3.86 percent in 2013-14.
Bend-La Pine Schools has a security network in place to help homeless students, including a dedicated homeless liaison and Family Access Network Advocates, who work hard to ensure all students receive the help they need to be able to come to school ready to learn.
“We are deeply committed to helping those students living in transitional housing situations and work hard to ensure they are able to come to school and receive the same consistent education as each of our students,” said Director Dana Arntson.
Federal Definition of Homeless
Under the federal McKinney-Vento Act Program for Education of Homeless Students, also called “Title X,” homeless students are defined as those students who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence. A homeless family could live in an emergency shelter or share housing with others due to loss of housing or economic hardship, stay at motels, or live in cars, parks, public places, tents, trailers, or other similar settings. For more information and a definition of Title X click HERE.
BEND-LA PINE SCHOOLS HISTORICAL INFORMATION
288 students, or 2.03%, were identified as being homeless during the 2003-04 school year.
236 students, or 1.62%, were identified as being homeless during the 2004-05 school year.
391 students, or 2.62%, were identified as being homeless during the 2005-06 school year.
518 students, or 3.38%, were identified as being homeless during the 2006-07 school year.
624 students, or 3.94%, were identified as being homeless during the 2007-08 school year.
709 students, or 4.44%, were identified as being homeless during the 2008-09 school year.
799 students, or 5.1%, were identified as being homeless during the 2009-10 school year.
726 students, or 4.5%, were identified as being homeless during the 2010-11 school year.
753 students, or 4.6%, were identified as being homeless during the 2011-12 school year.
682 students, or 4.1%, were identified as being homeless during the 2012-13 school year.
650 students, or 3.86%, were identified as being homeless during the 2013-14 school year.
Alandra Johnson
Communication Specialist Bend-La Pine Schools
541-355-1005
www.bend.12.or.us
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