Ten-year high for preliminary student enrollment

Preliminary 2024-25 student enrollment in Eden Prairie Schools is at a 10-year high, with EP Online continuing to boost recovery after losses before and during the pandemic.

The district credited strong commitment by district cabinet and site leaders, improved customer service and connection with families, strategic marketing, and intentional outreach as key reasons for the projected increase in enrollment and retention.

Mid-September preliminary data showed 8,949 students enrolled in EP Schools, up 67 students from last year. This figure includes EP Online preliminary enrollment, which was 532 full-time students (up 37 from last year) and 267 part-time students.

Preliminary numbers do not include unprocessed withdrawals or future-start date enrollments.

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The state of Minnesota considers seat count numbers official as of Oct. 1. The district is due to present official numbers and in-depth enrollment analysis at the next board business meeting on Oct. 28, when it will also project enrollment for 2025-26.

Data is early but promising

Calling preliminary enrollment data “great news,” Josh Swanson, the superintendent of EP Schools, cautioned the school board on Sept. 23 that it was still “super-early data” that would change.

Last year, preliminary enrollment numbers calculated in mid-September 2023 were estimated at 9,011 but ultimately shook out slightly lower at 8,882.

Dirk Tedmon, executive director of marketing and communications, said, “This is our best picture now and more to come, but we’re feeling confident about still being in a high point in recent years.”

Tedmon said that ongoing cabinet alignment and strategic marketing and outreach efforts played a significant role in the increase in enrollment and student retention.

These efforts have included a focus on customer service and family inquiry responses, community events, cabinet and principal support for personal outreach, and aligning data collection and review. Tedmon also credited the redesign of kindergarten marketing piloted in 2023-24, along with the district’s 100th-anniversary campaign, for helping improve engagement and connection with families.

EP Online’s growth has been boosted by additional onboarding dates in August and September, targeted marketing efforts, and individualized outreach, Tedmon said.

“We’ll have more data (on Oct. 28) and be able to really dive into this, but these are some of the preliminary thoughts as to why we’re seeing such strong and continued growth,” he added.