BVSD engages community to address Heatherwood Elementary School's declining enrollment

Boulder Valley School District (BVSD) has been experiencing declining enrollment since 2018, a decline exacerbated by the Covid pandemic. One of the schools most notably affected is Heatherwood Elementary School, which has approximately 226 enrolled students as of Oct. 1, 2023.

Heatherwood is running at just above 40% of its 500-student capacity. To address declining enrollment throughout the district, BVSD has implemented a long range planning process, an "Enrollment Advisory Phase" and a "Community Engagement Phase," according to BVSD Chief Communications Officer, Randy Barber. Heatherwood was the only school in the district to be placed in the Community Engagement Phase.

The Community Engagement Phase, according to the school's website, is designed "to collaboratively develop recommendations regarding future programming and educational experiences in response to declining enrollment at the school."

The district's community engagement began with a Heatherwood Community Engagement Process meeting held on March 7. Various members of the district staff along with district superintendent Dr. Rob Anderson provided comprehensive information regarding declining enrollment across the district and strategies to engage the community to support Heatherwood and reverse this decline.

Following the community meeting, Anderson wrote a thank you letter to the community. In his letter, Anderson wrote, "We believe in Heatherwood Elementary and are confident that, together, we will find ways to reverse the school's declining enrollment." Anderson further asked that community members reach out to friends and neighbors who have chosen to enroll their children in a school other than Heatherwood to better understand their reasons and to encourage them to visit Heatherwood.

In addition to citing a general declining birthrate, Susan Cousins, Operational Services Communications Manager for BVSD, said, "In BVSD, the high cost of housing coupled with limited housing stock makes it difficult for families with young children to live in our district."

A newly formed Heatherwood Educational Advisory Team will explore possible solutions in collaboration with the district to develop recommendations regarding "future programming and educational experiences at Heatherwood." The advisory team will hold bi-monthly meetings and continue to engage stakeholders to identify ways to increase enrollment. The next meeting of the Heatherwood Educational Advisory Team will be held on April 8 at 5 p.m. at Heatherwood Elementary School.