October 22, 2026
For Immediate Release
Contact: Aaron Brough, director of data and statistics
801-518-3549 ∙ aaron.brough@schools.utah.gov
Calista Crays, data and statistics research consultant
801-538-7951 ∙ calista.crays@schools.utah.gov
Utah Sees Continued Decline in Overall K-12 Public School
Enrollment for the 2026-2027 School Year
SALT LAKE CITY — According to data released by the Utah State Board of Education
(USBE), total public K-12 school enrollment in Utah decreased by 15,840 students, or
2.4 percent, from 2025-2026, with enrollment now standing at 640,471 students for the
2026–2027 school year (SY 26-27).
This represents the largest single-year percentage decline since at least 2014.
Despite the recent downward trend since 2023, total statewide enrollment remains
approximately 4.6 percent higher than it was in 2014, when 612,088 students were
enrolled in Utah public schools.
While total public district enrollment dropped by 17,796 students (-3.1 percent) to
553,310, charter school LEAs continued their multi-year growth trajectory. Charter
school enrollment increased by 1,957 students (+2.3 percent) to reach 87,161 students.
Charter schools now account for 13.6 percent of Utah’s total public K-12 student
population. This divergence, charter enrollment rising while district enrollment contracts,
has persisted across the last five consecutive school years.

At the grade level, a notable shift occurred in 12th grade, where enrollment
decreased by 1,043 students (-1.9 percent) to 52,939. This marks the first time
12th-grade enrollment has declined year-over-year since at least 2014. In previous
years, upper secondary grades had consistently trended upward or remained steady
even as lower elementary grades experienced declines. Student demographic data
revealed key shifts across specific student groups:
●
Students with Disabilities: The proportion of students identified as "Student
with a Disability" continued its steady annual increase, reaching 90,296 students
(14.1 percent of total enrollment). This upward trend has continued every year
since 2014, with the exception of 2021.
●
English Learners: Students identified as "English Learner" decreased to 51,569
(8.1 percent of enrollment), marking the second consecutive year of decline
following a peak of 61,481 in SY 24-25.
●
Economically Disadvantaged: Students identified as "Economically
Disadvantaged" declined for the third consecutive year to 177,069 (27.6 percent
of total enrollment), down from 186,362 in SY 25-26 and 193,572 in SY 24-25.
"Effective resource allocation and policy development at the Utah State Board of
Education are contingent upon robust enrollment data collection that undergoes
rigorous quality control checks and analysis," said Director of Data and Statistics Aaron
Brough. "These data provide critical insights into changing student demographics,
grade-level shifts, and localized trends, enabling the Board and legislative leaders to
make informed funding decisions that promote the success of all Utah students."
Additional detailed enrollment reports and breakdowns by county, LEA, and
school can be found on the USBE website at:
https://www.schools.utah.gov/datastatistics/reports
