BCS Enrollment Falls to 1,350 — Kindergarten Class Is Smallest in District History
From the Blackford County Schools Board Meeting on August 18, 2026
Blackford County Schools opened the 2026-27 school year with 1,350 students — down 30 from the fall 2025 start of 1,380, a decline of 2.2 percent.
The most notable figure: this year's kindergarten class of 83 students is the smallest in district history.
The superintendent attributed the low kindergarten numbers to declining birth rates following the COVID-19 pandemic, describing these children as born "a year past COVID." He said he was "moderately encouraged" that enrollment is above the spring 2026 count of roughly 1,340, and noted that fewer than 10 students are still resolving their enrollment.
Board member Troy raised concern about next year, noting that the district's preschool program is full but has no waiting list — a departure from previous years when waiting lists were common. That pattern could signal another small kindergarten class is coming.
Source: YouTube transcript — Blackford County Schools Board Meeting
Some information may be inaccurate due to video audio quality.
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