The Iowa Department of Education’s latest certified enrollment report shows widespread declines across northwest Iowa schools this year, with Alta‑Aurelia standing as the only district to record an increase in students.
Storm Lake, one of the region’s largest districts, reported 2,962 students this fall, a decrease of 40 from last year’s 3,002. While the district continues to serve a diverse and multilingual student population, the decline reflects statewide trends tied to lower birthrates and smaller incoming kindergarten classes.
Alta‑Aurelia was the lone district in the region to grow this year, rising from 829 to 862 students. The gain of 33 students comes as the district continues to draw interest from families open‑enrolling into the system, which aims to maintain stable class sizes.
Most other districts saw enrollment move in the opposite direction. Newell‑Fonda slipped slightly, dropping from 542 to 538 students. Pocahontas Area also saw a modest decline, falling from 713 to 704. East Sac County recorded one of the smallest changes in the region, decreasing by just two students, from 777 to 775.
The Ridge View district, which includes Schaller‑Crestland and Galva‑Holstein, reported a combined 795 students this fall, down 12 from last year’s 807. The two schools moved in different directions: Schaller‑Crestland increased by eight students, while Galva‑Holstein fell by 20.
Several districts posted more noticeable losses. OA‑BCIG dropped from 934 to 902, a decline of 32 students. Sioux Central fell from 639 to 618, down 21. Laurens‑Marathon decreased from 147 to 134, a loss of 13. And Albert City‑Truesdale, which serves only elementary grades, reported 89 students this fall, down 11 from last year’s 100.
Among nonpublic schools, Storm Lake St. Mary’s reported 276 students, a decrease of 15 from last year’s 291.
Certified enrollment determines state funding, making these shifts closely watched as administrators plan for staffing, programming, and long‑term facility needs.
