In the last two years, public school enrollment in New York State has dropped by more than 200,000 students in grades kindergarten through 12 (9%). According to state figures, New York City’s public schools account for more than 83,000 of those. COVID-related mask mandates and school closures likely explain part of the loss, but discontent with the previous mayor’s attack on gifted education, increased crime in the city, rents that outstrip what many can afford and a statewide economic malaise are also surely driving families with school-aged children out of the city and state.
But it’s not just families leaving the city and state entirely: Over the same two-year period, charter school enrollment is up by more than 14,000 statewide (8%), while non-public school enrollment was only down by close to 8,300 students (2%).
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Ray Domanico is a senior fellow and director of education policy at the Manhattan Institute. Based on a recent MI report.
This piece originally appeared in New York Daily News