Every year, school districts across Indiana submit their official enrollment numbers to the state on October 1, and Carmel Clay Schools is no exception. To keep our community informed, we’re pleased to share a snapshot of this year’s data, along with historical numbers, to help demonstrate the overall enrollment landscape of our district.

While enrollment numbers have remained relatively stable when considering the overall size of the district, there are several factors contributing to shifts in the data. These include the ongoing effects of the pandemic, rising housing costs, and the expansion of Indiana’s school voucher program, which provides more access to private schools.

In addition to these factors, the City of Carmel’s recent housing study reveals notable demographic changes that have impacted school enrollment. The percentage of households with school-aged children has dropped from 43.9% in 2010 to 35.4%. Meanwhile, the population of residents aged 65 and older has grown significantly, increasing from 9.7% to 15.7%. These trends help provide a broader context for the fluctuations in enrollment that we’ve observed. (Source: Carmel Housing Study, page 16)

Carmel Clay Schools is currently undergoing an updated demographic study to better understand both the immediate future and long-term trends affecting our student population. The goal of the study is to ensure that we can continue to balance resources across all schools and adapt to changes as needed.