By Jacqueline Rabe Thomas
Connecticut is expected to have the third fastest decline of students enrolled in high school in the nation over the next 10 years, the U.S. Department of Education reports.
(CLICK TO ENLARGE) U.S. Department of Education graphic
This anticipated 11.6 percent decline means an estimated 17,400 fewer students will be attending high school in 2024 than in 2012, and 5,400 fewer graduating each year. Only New Hampshire and Vermont are expected to have larger declines during the same period, with estimated drops of 14.1 percent and 12.1 percent, respectively.
Nationwide, the percentage of high school students is expected to increase by 2.7 percent, the report said.
Connecticut has seen steady decreases in the number of students of all grades attending public school in the state over the last decade. This report, however, shows the decline is largely among high school students. The number of students estimated through grade 8 is not expected to change much, or 0.3 percent by 2024.
