Since we got the word a few months ago that Corporate would carry the school for three years, I've stopped worrying about the school closing this year or next.

Yesterday I heard from another mother that 35 students have enrolled in the school. Total. Preschool thru eighth grade, 35 students. That's down 2/3^rds, second year running. Consequently 6 teachers are being let go.

I took out the school directory and looked at class lists this afternoon.

Unless a family with a child in the upper grades moves into the area, it's very unlikely the school will attract new students in those classes. And perhaps the school's reputation has suffered enough that it is no longer the springboard that it used to be into the better high schools.

So, based on those assumptions, there will be no eighth grade class next year. Imagine, no graduating class for the first time. (Just two years ago, the first graduating class graduated high school).

Neither will there be a seventh grade (again).

Sixth grade looks strong but fifth will not exist. Fourth and below look strong. I am afraid that parents are believing the rumour that the school's academics fall apart after fourth grade.