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RANDOLPH — Even though rural Nebraska population is shrinking, Randolph Public Schools seem to be holding their own.
Nebraska Department of Education statistics show Randolph’s K-12 school enrollment has increased by 26 students in the past 10 years.
A deeper dive into those statistics reveal that over the past decade, Randolph has recorded the strongest public school enrollment growth in Cedar County, climbing from 236 students in 2015-16 to 273 this fall — a 15.7% increase.
Supt. Daryl Schrunk said the creation of the Cardinal Kids Learning Center has been a very important addition for Randolph area residents.
“I believe having the daycare and preschool for our community is vital to the growth of our school and community, not to mention the benefits of them being housed in our elementary school,” he said. “Being able to have kids in our facilities from birth to graduation is huge.”
Schrunk said the facility is able to accommodate families for much needed daycare. It also keeps kids in Randolph when parents work in neighboring towns, he said.
“I am guessing before CKLC that kids may have traveled with a parent to the town where that parent worked and were in daycare then eventually enrolled in preschool and kindergarten in that other town. Hence, losing that kid to another school district,” he said.
The steady growth here contrasts sharply with nearby Laurel-Concord-Coleridge, which saw its enrollment fall nearly 15% during the same span, from 421 to 360.
Hartington-Newcastle and Wynot, meanwhile, have maintained relative stability. HNS is up just over 7% in the past 10 years, while Wynot has edged upward by about 11%.
Randolph’s upward trend began after a dip in 2017-18, when enrollment dropped to 222. Since then, the district has gained steadily, adding students almost every year.
This fall’s 273 students mark the highest total in the past decade, a point of pride for school leaders and a sign of stability for families in the community.
While HNS and Wynot have shown modest increases, both remain relatively flat compared to Randolph's steady rise.
Laurel-Concord-Coleridge’s enrollment decline underscores the challenges many districts face in maintaining numbers as populations shift and families consolidate around other communities.
In the 2015-16 school year, Randolph Public Schools had 236 students enrolled.
This year's figures show 273 students enrolled here.
Schrunk said current figures are pro jecting enrollment will increase even more next year.
