PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) has published its updated enrollment analysis, reflecting trends over the past decade and predictions for the 2025-26 student body. As of October 1, the district has recorded a total of 17,937 K–12 students, a decrease of 375 from last year’s enrollment of 18,312. However, early childhood programs experienced a positive trend, reporting a 1.27% increase from 1,258 students in the previous year to 1,274 this year.
Superintendent Wayne N. Walters expressed optimism despite the overall decline, stating, “While our overall enrollment continues to decline, we are encouraged by early signs of stabilization among our youngest learners. These are signs that our work to rebuild trust with families is taking hold.”
The enrollment report reveals that PPS has faced a total decline of 22.8% since the 2015–16 school year, coinciding with a 12.6% decrease in the number of school-aged children residing within the district. In contrast, charter school enrollment has surged by 46.6%, while private school enrollments have seen an 11.5% drop.
The district’s analysis indicates that student mobility is primarily influenced by family relocations rather than transfers among schools. On average, 88.9% of PPS students remain enrolled from June through October each year, with 7.2% moving out of the district.
English Language Learners represent one of the fastest-growing segments within PPS, now accounting for 10.9% of total enrollment, a notable increase from just 3.0% in the 2015-16 school year.
The report also highlights the enrollment challenges faced by individual schools, with 23 schools currently serving fewer than 250 students. This situation hampers the ability to maintain robust programming and staffing efficiencies. To combat these challenges, the report recommends enhancing family outreach and engagement efforts aimed at improving student retention, as well as evaluating school building configurations and utilization to promote excellence and equity across the district.
In light of these findings, there are hopeful signs that with the right strategies in place, PPS can stabilize its enrollment and continue to provide quality education to all students.