MARLBOROUGH – Despite a decrease in the number of students enrolled, the space crunch continues at Marlborough Public Schools.
During the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 10, Superintendent Mary Murphy presented the district enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year.
As of Sept. 4, there were 4,773 students enrolled districtwide – a bit lower than then 4,990 students in the system last year.
At the elementary level, some schools also report lower numbers than last year. For example, Jaworek Elementary School has 639 students enrolled, almost 50 students below last year.
At Kane Elementary, however, enrollment is at 581 students – 31 students more than last year.
“Kane is out of space,” said Murphy.
At the other elementary schools, Goodnow is about the same as last year (797 enrolled in 2024, one fewer than in 2023-24) and Richer has 575 students this year – 22 students fewer than last year.
Whitcomb Middle School has 963 students enrolled this September, while Marlborough High School has 969.
Backpack donations
Hundreds of MPS students started the new school year with brand-new backpacks and supplies, thanks to various donors.
David DePaula, a former student and son of Whitcomb Middle School’s administrative assistant, Pollyana DePaula, raised $8,000, enough for 300 backpacks with supplies. The backpacks will be distributed to elementary, middle and high school students in need.
Another 50 backpacks were donated by Henry Schein.
First Congregational Church donated 78 backpacks, with supplies, in memory of Katy Mahoney. These will be distributed through the Wrap Around Service program.