Beginning in the 2020-21 school year, the district has new attendance areas for East Middle School and West Middle School. The 2019-20 school year attendance areas for our middle schools (former junior highs) had been in place since the 2011-12 school year. The three elementary schools with the most students (Eagle Creek, Jackson & Sweeney) primarily feed into West Middle School. The two smaller elementary schools (Red Oak & Sun Path) primarily feed into East Middle School. For reference, Red Oak and Sun Path were the two largest elementary schools when these attendance areas were originally drawn.   

Growth patterns within the district over the last nine years led to a growing difference in the number of students at each of our middle schools. The student count difference between East and West was 427 students and projected at more than 400 into the future if 2019-20 attendance areas stayed the same. West Middle School was more than 100 students over capacity. East Middle School was about 300 students below capacity. The difference in size of each school presented some challenges in the way our schools operated including: pressure on common areas, challenges in the teaming structure for teachers, and core staffing.

New attendance areas, implemented in the 2020-21 school year, balanced enrollment at the middle school level, while also allowing for future growth.

Draft scenarios and recommendations were determined using the following criteria/parameters (not listed in a specific order): 

• Walking distance
• Contiguous as much as possible
• Similar demographics: Free/Reduced lunch, English Language Learners, Special Education
• Efficient transportation
• Building capacity
• Recognition of proposed growth/developments
• Other considerations
• Last 3-5 years (better 5-7 years)

In March 2019, district administration presented information on enrollment trends, building capacities, current student enrollment, and developments within the district to the school board. 

In early July 2019, the school board reviewed data on each school’s current enrollment and looked at five-year projections at its summer retreat. The board directed district administration to develop middle school draft attendance areas scenarios.

Also in July 2019, similar information was shared with the district’s Community Facilities Task Force. 

In August 2019, the school board discussed a timeline, criteria and the process for public meetings and input at its board meeting.

District administration presented sample scenarios and a timeline to the Shakopee School Board at the September 23 meeting. On October 14, 2019, the Shakopee School Board voted to move forward with two attendance area scenarios. Click here to view those scenarios. The scenarios were shared with the school community to receive input and feedback before the final decision was made.

Additionally, public information and input sessions were held at each middle school. Information was also provided at parent/teacher conferences, posted on our website and social media and sent home in red folders.