Two neighboring rural school districts in Reno County reported major swings in student numbers this year, as schools across the state conducted the annual student headcount Thursday.
Haven USD 312 experienced a drop of 52 students, as its headcount went from 813 a year ago to 761 this year. Haven USD closed Partridge Elementary School in May, and about 20 of 45 Partridge students are no longer attending Haven schools.
Pretty Prairie USD 311′s headcount jumped from about 259-260 a year ago to 295 students in kindergarten through Grade 12.
Pretty Prairie’s growth comes partly from the enrollment of former Partridge students but also from families that moved into the school district, according to Pretty Prairie School Superintendent Randy Hendrickson.
“That’s really good news. We’re very excited,” Hendrickson said of Pretty Prairie’s growth.
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)