(EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first in a 3-part series examining school enrollment numbers and student transfers in Kosciusko County schools.)

On Aug. 26, Warsaw Community School Corporation reported a total of 7,282 students currently enrolled within the school corporation – an increase of 166 students from last year’s total. In addition to a rise in overall enrollment, WCS also reported an increase in its transfer student enrollment numbers of nearly 50 students.

Last year, WCS reported a total of 174 students at the start of the fall school year. This year’s enrollment numbers for out-of-district students are currently set at 224 students. With many of the transfer students coming from surrounding school districts, the question is, why has school seen an influx in student transfers?

According to the WCS August Enrollment Report, transfer students, who are defined as students who attend a school outside of the district they live in, included a total of 74 Tippecanoe Valley School students, 40 Wawasee Community School Corporation students, 64 Whitko Community School students and an additional 46 students from other districts. Though WCS reports a total of 224 transfers, many of these transfers are retained students from outside of the district from prior years.

According to WCS Superintendent Dr. Craig Hintz, though work locations and childcare do play a part in parents reasoning for school transfers, he also noted new courses and programs, as well as class sizes, are major components of WCS’s attraction to out-of-district families.

“Were offering dance now as well as strings, Mandarin Chinese, world languages at the middle school level as well as the S.T.E.M. program at Washington that has definitely served as an attraction to parents,” explained Hintz. “We’ve added several AP courses at our high school and we believe we have really appropriate class sizes at all levels. We have some classes that might be a little higher, but overall the averages are really very good.”

Hintz, who stated the school system is seeing an increase from previous years in its total transfer enrollment numbers, also noted the fact that WCS was one of 18 districts in the state to receive an “A” for it’s state accountability grade.

“Certainly to be able to be one of 18 school corporations that have straight A’s (has played a role in out-of-district student attraction). Knowing what our history was with having schools that received A’s, B’s, C’s and even three D’s, we’ve made just really phenomenal gains,” stated Hintz. “A huge debt of gratitude is owed to all of our staff for getting behind our academic mission statement.”

Hintz stated that the straight “A” grade received by all schools within the district has helped assist and attract parents – especially those browsing schools through avenues such as the Internet.

“When parents are shopping for schools, they are very curious and inquisitive,” said Hintz. “Now, with all the information that is available over the web, parents are wonderful shoppers for their students. Really, it is an added bonus when we have A’s across our school district. From a marketing stand point, that has really helped us create a buzz about what has happened with WCS. It all is part of that formula to attract new students. Not only those who transfer from a new district, but those who have the opportunity to come and work in warsaw.”

Hintz stated that the increase in overall enrollment has allowed the school to expand its staff by approximately six teachers – most of which are on the elementary level. Hintz also noted the preschool programs at Leesburg and Claypool, as well as the Gateway Education Center and Warsaw Career Center as added incentives for new students to attend school in the district.