In a nutshell
Data released by the U.S. Census Bureau in May showed Georgetown is the fastest-growing city in the country with a population of more than 50,000 residents—and that stretch is being felt at the campus level. According to the report from Templeton Demographics, Cooper, Mitchell, Williams and Wolf Ranch elementary schools; Tippit and Wagner middle schools; and East View High School have student populations that are at or near capacity.
This comes as the district has reached what Superintendent Devin Padavil has described as a "critical" point of growth. The district began the 2023-24 school year with 600 more students than in the 2022-23 school year.
The backstory
Growth in Georgetown has long been a concern of district officials and community members. In 2021, voters who live in GISD approved the use of $333.42 million in bonds for the construction of two elementary schools, the construction of the new Benold Middle School and the Future Ready Complex.
One of those elementary schools is set to open next year in in the Santa Rita Ranch neighborhood. Padavil said Oct. 10 it will provide temporary relief to increasing enrollment and capacity concerns at Wolf Ranch Elementary.
The demographic report shows the student population at EVHS will exceed 3,000 students by the 2029-30 school year, based on growth trends subject to change.
This is one of the matters being considered by the district's Citizen Advisory Committee, which is evaluating the needs of the district, Padavil said.
"Making those decisions early in terms of land acquisition, school location and what kind of schools is so important in this moment in time for our city and for our community," Padavil said in October.
