Key Facts About Class Size
Monitoring class sizes occurs throughout the year
We regularly monitor class sizes, especially during the spring and summer, when projections to become actual enrollments. Each year between October and December, current enrollment reports and future projections are presented to the Board of Education to begin budget preparations for the following school year. In late spring, the Administration works with staff to identify and proactively address potential areas of concern. Often, class sizes cannot be finalized until projections become actual enrollments in late summer.
Enrollment declines often lead to staff reductions
Staffing levels are adjusted every year based on student enrollment — even in years when budgetary needs or changes are not under consideration. BPS101’s elementary school population has declined 12% since 2017. In a fiscally responsible approach, fewer students generally require fewer teachers.
Chart 1: Historical and Projected Enrollment
Enrollment projections fluctuate until late summer
Throughout the year, and especially during the summer, families move in and out unexpectedly. Sometimes enrollments change in pockets of certain neighborhoods or grade levels and cannot easily be predicted. As a result, we cannot accurately predict our staffing needs until enrollments are finalized in late summer. Often, adjusting teacher assignments beforehand is premature — particularly for kindergarten.
BPS101 has its own class-size guidelines
Guidelines are agreed-upon parameters used to balance class sizes, staffing, instructional and budgetary needs. Guidelines differ from a cap—which we do not use—that limit the maximum number of students allowed in a classroom before taking specific measures to reduce a class size.
Taking into account various conditions and enrollments from year to year, the Board of Education’s collective bargaining agreement with the teacher’s association establishes a general guideline or goal of 22 students in a grade K-2 classroom, 26 students in a grade 3-5 classroom, and 30 students in a grade 6-12 classroom.
These long-standing guidelines are unique to BPS101, although the ranges are comparable to those used by surrounding districts.
Chart 2: Average Elementary Class Sizes as of January 21, 2022
(excludes specialized programs)
Grade Level | Students | Sections | Average | Target |
K | 360 | 17 | 21.2 | 22 |
1 | 324 | 16 | 20.3 | 22 |
2 | 373 | 19 | 19.6 | 22 |
3 | 316 | 14 | 22.6 | 26 |
4 | 334 | 15 | 22.3 | 26 |
5 | 332 | 15 | 22.1 | 26 |
Totals | 2,039 | 96 | 21.2 | – |
Chart 3: Comparison of Average Elementary Class Sizes to Prior Years
School Year | Students | Sections | Average |
2022 | 2,039 | 96 | 21.2 |
2021 | Not reported due to pandemic | ||
2020 | 2,074 | 101 | 20.7 |
2019 | 2,130 | 94.5 | 22.5 |
2018 | 2,126 | 93 | 22.9 |
2017 | 2,321 | 100 | 23.2 |
Extra support is considered when classes exceed guidelines
We are committed to supporting learning and growing. When a class exceeds guidelines, varying levels of support are considered in collaboration with teachers and the Batavia Education Association. Additional supports may include:
- Small group support
- Additional part-time staff
- Additional training
- Scheduling supports