District news
Fewer students enrolling at the Gaston schools
What happened
KIPP leaders reported a sharper enrollment drop in Gaston than elsewhere in fall 2025, a continued decrease in April 2026, and 'softening' in grades 3-8 in May. A board member warned that the area's school-age population is shrinking and will keep falling. KIPP says it already enrolls about 60% of local students.
Why it matters to families
State money follows students, and the Gaston schools pay most of the network's management fees, so fewer students means less money.
The evidence
The November 6, 2025 minutes note a sharper decline in Gaston; the April 2 and May 7, 2026 minutes flag the decrease and the shrinking school-age population.
The source
KIPP NC Board of Directors minutes, 2026-05-07See the full record for KIPP Gaston College Preparatory (KIPP Eastern North Carolina).
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