Original Date: 08/08/1994
Revision Date: 01/18/2007

The Stafford County Public Schools have developed a demographic system that can report current student enrollments and project enrollments for the next six years. This projection system aids the Construction and Planning Department to plan and manage the acquisition and upgrade of facilities to support the instructional program. The Construction and Planning Department planning process includes maintaining the demographics database, projecting future enrollments, developing and maintaining a six-year capital improvements program, and planning for all phases of construction projects. The department also assists Stafford County in reviewing proposed community development projects to provide insight into impacts on school attendance.

The demographic system uses the current student database and projection factors to develop projected enrollments after accounting for retention/promotion rates per grade, special education, and kindergarten enrollments. It is refined by adjusting the growth component as new subdivisions are approved. The output is also used for personnel planning, textbook requirements, forms and supplies requirements, and budget projections.

The demographics system was developed over several years from a small program purchased for $5K. With the rapidly changing student base, the program has allowed the schools to maintain the student/teacher ratio at or below 24 to 1.

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.