Smaller families. Rising housing prices. An aging community.

Enrollment in Mattapoisett's elementary schools has dropped by 25% in the past 20 years -- even as the town's overall population has grown. As a study of potentially combining the town's two elementary schools begins, officials and observers suggest a variety of reasons for the declining kiddie population.

Complicating considerations is the fact that elementary enrollment in Mattapoisett actually rose by 28 students this year.

In the 2001-2002 school year, there were 567 students enrolled in grades Pre-K through 8, which fell to 512 during the 2011-2012 year. This past year, enrollment was at 436 students, all according to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The reason for the 24.7% drop in enrollment over time is unclear, but Town Administrator Mike Lorenco suggested that there could be a lot of possible reasons.

“The impact of affordability in this town is part of it,” Lorenco explained, pointing out that demographics are showing that people all over the United States are having fewer kids. “I come from a family of six myself and you don’t really see that any more, it’s a rarity.”

He also noted the rising housing costs, as well as the aging population of Mattapoisett. The 2020 census states that over 25% of Mattapoisett’s population is over 65.

According to data from the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic District in 2018, 20.7% of Mattapoisett households contained children under 18. This is down 32% from data in 2000.

“The town shows signs of a growing senior and retirement population – while family size and school enrollment is decreasing,” said Lizeth Gonzalez, senior comprehensive planner with the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic District. The Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic District is a regional organization in Southeastern Massachusetts that makes plans for transportation, economic development, land use, municipal partnerships, homeland security, and environmental stewardship.

Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Howie Barber said that enrollment numbers are up since last fiscal year, despite the overall drop in recent years. “We already had a 28 student increase based on last fiscal year,” he stated at a recent Mattapoisett Select Board meeting. “I have heard of the drop down in students over the years, but this year we’re actually up…So, from that perspective, you can see the positives.”

Even as enrollment drops, Mattapoisett’s population is on the rise according to 2020 census data. Mattapoisett grew by 463 residents from 6,045 to 6,508 between 2010 and 2020, which is a growth rate of 7.66%.

“Population recovered from the previous decade and surpassed the numbers from the 90s – which is often considered the ‘boom’ for many communities,” stated Gonzalez.

“There are most likely different factors that are impacting enrollment trends,” said Superintendent Michael Nelson. “But at the end of the day we plan for the students that we have enrolled now and what we know their educational needs to be.”

When asked how this drop in enrollment has affected school budgets, Nelson explained that they assess based on needs. “Each student has a different learning profile and educational needs and we have to account for that in our budget process and adjust our services as appropriate.”

These conversations about change in enrollment have prompted further discussions about the use of space.

At the last School Committee Meeting on Feb. 28, Lorenco presented information about a study that could consolidate the two schools, the Center School, which houses students K-3, and Old Hammondtown School, which is attended by students in grades 4-6.

“They don’t have enough kids to fill the school. So, when you look at that, you wonder, are we using this space effectively?” Lorenco asked.

This study will be done by The University of Massachusetts Collins School for Public Management, which reached out to Lorenco about doing a study on issues the town may be facing. The select board decided that one issue could be the possibility of school consolidation.

Lorenco remembered that when he was a student at the Center School, they were using the whole building for classrooms. “Now, the town operates a whole wing and there are some classrooms that are not being utilized as classrooms.”

Mattapoisett is one of the only communities in the region that separates grades K-3 and 4-6 into two buildings.

Lorenco emphasized that the decision on whether to consolidate would not be based solely on the study’s reports.

“It would likely go to a Town Meeting, it wouldn’t be something that just happened in haste,” said Lorenco. “It would be a lengthy process.” He added that the goal of the study did not have to do with consolidation, but more about the best way that the town could use space.

Nelson emphasized that the study is in progress and that no recommendations have been made at this point.