The Iowa Department of Education recently released projections of certified enrollment changes statewide for the next five years, and area school districts are being predicted to move in different ways. The district expected to experience the most growth is Mid-Prairie, which has been projected to increase enrollment by up to 10% before 2020. Superintendent Mark Schneider believes that’s a reflection of not only what the schools are doing, but also the progress of the cities in the district. He said the communities of Kalona and Wellman have done a lot to make themselves attractive to prospective home buyers, and that has had a direct impact on enrollment. The preliminary enrollment figures for Mid-Prairie schools indicate the projection has some merit, since first Monday numbers were the highest they’ve ever been at all five schools in the district.

Other schools in the area have not had as promising a projection from the Department of Education. Washington schools are projected to decrease in enrollment by around 5% over the next five years, while Highland and Keota are both projected to decrease by around 2%. Sigourney and Columbus are expected to increase slightly, while WACO and Lone Tree are expected to decrease. Overall, the Grant Wood Area Education Agency, of which Washington, Mid-Prairie, and Highland are all a part, is expected to experience growth of approximately 1.8%.