Crowley ISD reports slight enrollment dip; 404 pending applications could change counts

Crowley ISD officials told the Board of Trustees that the district’s August 26 snapshot shows 16,717 students enrolled for 2026–27, down 66 students from the same snapshot date last year.

Ruby Baptiste, presenting the enrollment update, broke the shift down by level: elementary enrollment is down about 130 students while secondary grades are up by 64 students. Baptiste said the district currently has 404 pending applications (308 elementary, 96 secondary) that are being processed; if those applications are completed, the district’s enrollment would rise accordingly. "So as of August 26, we are down by 66 students from last year," Baptiste said, and she explained that pending applications are lower because registrars are processing applications more quickly.

Baptiste described the district’s class-leveling process to meet statutory and policy targets for elementary class size (1:22 target). She said administrators review rosters daily during the first five days of school, move teachers where feasible to balance classes, and use overflow buses and waivers only when necessary. Trustees asked for follow-up reports on retention cohorts and requested periodic updates about how many pending applicants are new transfers versus returns to the district. Administrators committed to providing an enrollment report at future board meetings.