Mankato Area Public Schools Enrollment, 2019–2026

ISD 77 Student Enrollment

Reported enrollment from the 2019–2020 school year through September 2026

Source: The earliest four figures are labeled by school year; later figures are labeled by reporting month. The vertical axis begins at 7,400 to show changes more clearly.

Enrollment change

1,090

Fewer students since 2019–2020

12.6%

Decline from the 2019–2020 baseline

Source links for the graph

Years	Enrollment

2019-2020	8685
2020-2021	8433
2021-2022	8375
2022-2023	8097
sept 1 2023	8037
Oct 1st 2023	8007
Sept.1st 2024 (about 15min into meeting)	7,897
Oct.1st 2024	7825
Jan 1 2025	7806
sept 1 2025 (about 11 minutes into meeting	7819
Oct 1st	7,785
Sept 8, 2026 at about (49 minutes in)	7595

While declining birth rates and demographic changes contribute to lower enrollment, they do not tell the entire story. Mankato Area Public Schools is also experiencing a decline in market share, meaning a smaller percentage of school-age children living within district boundaries are attending our public schools. The district’s 119-page demographic study, dated January 2025 and presented at a summer School Board work session, examines these trends in greater detail, including student market share beginning around page 55. Understanding the difference between having fewer school-age children in our community and having more families choose neighboring districts, charter schools, private schools, or homeschooling is essential. We need to understand not only how many students we are losing, but why families are choosing other educational options and what the district can do to address their concerns.

demographic-study-3 (1)Download

Response

Nicole Lueck

September 20, 2026
For me I have a couple thoughts.
1. Bullying plags our schools and can make school see so daunting. With staff unable to do much about bullying and lack of follow through along with so many hipa rules, it’s hard to keep this in check.
2. I think when COVID came people learned they wanted to be more present and be a part of parenting and there for work life balance changed for many, having many moms leave the work force. I think this brought more moms to home school. I also think home schooling used to be more isolating but now there is SO much and so many groups that get together for these kiddos and even events that occur during the day for them.
3. I also think politics could play a role. Ciriculims and things being taught in school have changed and not all parents agree with these changes. Homeschooling allows parents to teach their children their own beliefs.
LikeLike
Reply