Schools are seeing changes in online school enrollment

Aug 22, 2022, 7:00 PM | Updated: Aug 23, 2022, 9:34 am

The number of students taking advantage of online learning is on the decline in many Utah school districts. (Adobe Stock image)

(Adobe Stock image)

BY AIMEE COBABE

Former Senior Reporter

SALT LAKE CITY — The number of students taking advantage of online learning is on the decline in many Utah school districts.

The Davis School District had 6,000 Students online two years ago. But they now have only 600.

“Especially in Davis County, there were a lot of parents of students who were like, ‘my student learns best in the classroom.’ And so that was expected,” said Davis School District spokesperson Hailey Higgins.

Still, more students are taking online classes now than before the pandemic, according to Higgins.

“We also have a lot of students who learn best online. Or say they have some health concerns that require them to stay home,” Higgins said.

The change has been slightly less dramatic in the smaller Nebo School District.

Nebo School District spokesperson Lana Hiskey says they’ve had less than 1% of students in online classes both last year and this year.

“The traditional classroom—that face-to-face, one-on-one—that fits most students best,” Hiskey said.

The Nebo District has seen a steady increase in students overall in the past few years. The district recently opened several new schools. And more high schools are under construction.

Hiskey said the district added nearly 450 students this school year, but only eight additional students signed up for virtual classes.

“Honestly, most of our students want to be face-to-face,” Hiskey said. “Plus, they get to be involved in all the activities. It just makes it more of a school atmosphere. And they get to see their friends.”