FARMINGTON — Farmington's public schools have their fewest students in at least 10 years, down 143 from a 2024 high, and most of the loss is in the four elementary schools, which now have room to spare.
Every elementary school is within its building capacity, according to the district's annual enrollment report, presented to the Board of Education on Monday, Oct. 19. Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Dan Zittoun said each elementary school could probably add a class if it needed to, though many spare rooms are now used for small-group help.
The report recommends planning how to use that space: for special education programs, for expanded academic programs, and for preschool, where it says families' demand is growing. The district expects about the same enrollment next year.
The count on Oct. 1 was 3,953, down 47 from last year and 143 from 4,096 in 2024. Of the 143 fewer students, 125 are in East Farms, Noah Wallace, Union and West District, the kindergarten-through-fourth-grade schools; the middle grades and the high school are close to where they were. "That is actually the lowest enrollment that we've had over the past 10 years," Zittoun told the board.
Test scores
On the state's Smarter Balanced tests last spring, about three in four Farmington students in grades 3 through 8 met or exceeded the state's standard: 74.6% in English and 72.8% in math, roughly 24 and 26 points above the state averages, according to the district's report. In math, just over half, 50.4%, scored in the top of the state's four levels, which Director of Curriculum and Instruction Eric Martin called a first for the district. On the science test, given in grades 5, 8 and 11, 77.6% met or exceeded the standard.
Also on Oct. 19
- Facilities director leaving. Samuel Kilpatrick, director of school facilities and with the district six years, has resigned effective Dec. 4 to take a job in another district.
- Trips. The board approved two overnight trips to Washington, D.C.: one for the Farmington High School Science Bowl club if it qualifies for the national competition, and one for students in AP African American Studies, the Black Student Union and the Pop Music Society.
- Policies. The board gave a first approval, 8-0, to six updated policies, among them student discipline, accommodations for students with disabilities, and family and medical leave. They return for a final vote.
- Grants. The Farmington Public School Foundation presented teacher grants, including $10,000 for the high school's biomedical lab.
At a special meeting before the regular session, the board appointed Amy Borio principal of East Farms Elementary School. The superintendent also announced earlier emergency dismissal times for this school year.
This coverage is supported by Farmington Storage, 155 Scott Swamp Road, the only storage facility in Connecticut with Museum air. Plenty of room, whatever the enrollment projections say. 860.777.4001 📦
Jack Beckett has reported on enough school board meetings to know that "extend the meeting past 10 p.m." always passes. He is on his third coffee and has never once been dismissed early. ☕
The Farmington Mercury covers the meetings most people miss: the enrollment report the board gets every October, the dismissal letter that lands near Nov. 1, the police log somebody had to type up. We publish slowly and without apology. Our motto is "Always last to breaking news," and we stand behind it. Find us at farmingtonmercury.com and tell your neighbors. #WeAreFarmington 📰