Despite a statewide, one-year rise in enrollment numbers across Iowa’s public schools, four of the five districts within Jasper County experienced downturns in enrollment from the 2011-2012 to the 2012-2013 school year.

The statewide jump of 0.6 percent represents the first increase in student enrollment the state has seen since 1996, due in part to birth rates spiking in 2007. Although numbers are up from the 2011-2012 academic year, the overall trend across Iowa suggests a steadily declining enrollment.

Specifically speaking, enrollment declined in 167 school districts and climbed in 170 districts over the course of the past year;  eleven districts reported no change in enrollment figures.