Crested Butte Community School enrollment numbers up again

More on the way

By Kendra Walker

In recent years and over the past several months, the Crested Butte Community School continues to grow. According to Gunnison Watershed School District superintendent Dr. Leslie Nichols, CBCS’s October enrollment count was at 773 students. Last year’s count ended with 746 students. Total enrollment for the school district was reported at 2,111 students in October.

The CBCS middle and high school student population is currently at 431 students, an increase of 34 students in comparison to last year. Currently, the elementary school has 345 students, reported elementary principal Sally Hensley, up three students from the October elementary count date. This brings the current CBCS numbers to 776 students.

CBCS secondary school principal Stephanie Niemi explained that the school added one additional full-time equivalency (FTE) position this year to accommodate the increase in student numbers. The installation of a modular unit at the beginning of the school year holds two classrooms and has helped with the higher numbers as well.

However, more students are on the way. “We have not enrolled any new students in the last month but expect two to three students to enroll in January,” said Niemi.

School officials are contemplating how to expand the CBCS space in the near future to accommodate the increasing student population.