Moorhead Schools see another jump in first day enrollment

(Moorhead, MN) -- Moorhead Area Public Schools is continuing the trend of record attendance after this year's first day of class.

The District tells WDAY Radio that 7427 students in grades K-12 enrolled for the first day of school on Monday. The 2022-23 school year’s opening enrollment is 487 students more than were enrolled last spring and 91 students more than last year’s opening enrollment.

The new kindergarten class has 623 students, just two students less than seventh grade, the largest class in the district. The number of students in the district will fluctuate over the next few weeks before stabilizing in October and November, according to historical trends.

“We are pleased to welcome all of our students back to school. We are especially excited to be adding Probstfield Elementary as a fifth elementary school this fall,” said District Superintednent Dr. Brandon Lunak in a statement released to WDAY Radio. “This year, the Moorhead High School transformation project will enter its second year.”

The current 2022-23 enrollment figures continue the trend of increasing enrollment in the district. Opening enrollment for the 2021-22 school year was 7,336; 2020-21 school year was 7,153; 2019-20 school year was 7,087; 2018-19 was 6,987 and 2017-18 was 6,701.

The opening of the Moorhead High School Career Academy last fall was the first stage in a five year high school transformation project that includes innovating the educational experience. The new, flexible learning environment will encompass one school on two campuses with a common 9-12 experience. Construction on the new Moorhead High School continues in stages through the 2024-25 school year.