Student enrollment projected to increase in Barrington

Barrington school officials learned recently that student enrollment is projected to increase slightly over the next 10 years. 

According to information provided by the New England School Development Council, Barrington schools — grades pre-kindergarten through 12 — are projected to increase by 65 students over the next decade. The enrollment projection was shared during a school committee meeting on Dec. 14.

Barrington Superintendent of Schools Michael Messore said the information is important for officials as they continue to determine curriculum and staffing needs.

"Space is always going to be a concern" in order to maintain programs at the schools, he said. 

Currently, there are 3,337 students enrolled in Barrington public schools. The projection offered by NESDEC shows a slight decrease in two of the next three school years, but then steady growth in the seven years that follow. 

However, the report cautioned: "… projections beyond five years become less reliable as other factors can influence enrollment."

According to the enrollment report, the projection relies on information such as birth rates, demands on the housing market, short term economic conditions, and changes in the interest rate. 

Mr. Messore added: "Enrollment is always a moving target."

School officials based some of the enrollment information on the construction of planned housing developments in Barrington. For example, officials expect the Palmer Pointe affordable housing development planned for Sowams Road to bring approximately 42 students to local schools. The Bluemead subdivision near Barrington Beach is projected to bring 15.4 additional students to Barrington, and the Fox Run subdivision off Sowams Road near River Oaks Road is expected to bring about seven students to local schools.

The construction of a new middle school may serve as one of the largest draws.

"From the McKibben Demographic Research Report (2015) we noted that when a school district brings a new facility on line, (particularly if it is replacing an aged and out of date facility) the district will tend to experience a short term spike in enrollment at the new building," stated the Barrington enrollment report. "This is particularly true for new middle schools and high schools. In most cases, the new facility will see a 3 to 5 percent increase in enrollment the year the facility is opened, with much smaller increases the immediate proceeding and following years."

Barrington officials are anticipating that construction on a new middle school in town will begin in March, and should be open to students by the start of the 2019-20 school year.

Mr. Messore added that when a family moves to town with middle school-age children, it is also possible they would have older or younger children who would attend the district's other schools.

The superintendent said that once the middle school is complete, the district's slate of school buildings will be in very good shape. He said maintenance and renovation on the district's schools has been a priority.

"Structurally, they're sound," Mr. Messore said of local schools. "We just want to make sure there's adequate classroom space to maintain programs."

Barrington school enrollment

The last 10 years …

2008-09 — 3,466

2009-10 — 3,461

2010-11 — 3,504

2011-12 — 3,400

2012-13 — 3,327

2013-14 — 3,318

2014-15 — 3,264

2015-16 — 3,298

2016-17 — 3,330

2017-18 — 3,337

The next 10 years …

2018-19 — 3,309

2019-20 — 3,331

2020-21 — 3,304

2021-22 — 3,314

2022-23 — 3,346

2023-24 — 3,351

2024-25 — 3,363

2025-26 — 3,363

2026-27 — 3,384

2027-28 — 3,402

Note: Information provided by the New England School Development Council.