For the first time in nearly a decade, the Mahomet-Seymour School District has recorded an enrollment decline, with current figures showing 3,402 students compared to last year’s peak of 3,461.

The 59-student decrease represents a 1.7% decline from the 2024-25 school year, marking the end of a seven-year consecutive growth streak that saw the district add nearly 350 students since 2017. Despite this year’s downturn, the district’s enrollment remains 289 students higher than 2017 levels, representing a 9.3% increase over eight years.

The district’s enrollment journey shows three distinct phases over the past decade. From 2017 to 2021, Mahomet-Seymour experienced steady but modest growth, adding an average of 29 students annually. This was followed by an acceleration phase from 2022 to 2024, highlighted by 2022’s remarkable surge of 209 students—the largest single-year gain on record.

Although a single year’s decline doesn’t establish a pattern, the 2025 enrollment drop may reflect broader challenges in the U.S. housing market, where persistently high mortgage rates have created an affordability crisis that has frozen home sales and left inventory at historic lows. The Sept. housing market press release from the Champaign County Realtors Association showed an slight increase in available homes in Champaign County. The Village of Mahomet’s docket of new home subdivisions has been quiet with the Harvest Edge subdivision’s 68 new homes to be voted on Tuesday. 

The enrollment decline appears across multiple grade levels, though some classes continue showing growth from their kindergarten years. The current senior class (Class of 2026) demonstrates the district’s historical growth pattern, expanding 26.7% from 187 kindergarteners to 237 seniors over their 13-year journey. However, younger classes show more volatile enrollment patterns, with some experiencing significant gains in early elementary years followed by corrections as they progress through the system.

Current juniors (Class of 2027) exemplify this trend, growing 25.8% from 221 kindergarteners to 278 eleventh graders, while the sophomore class increased 31.5% from their kindergarten enrollment. These cohort patterns suggest that while overall district enrollment declined, individual classes continue to attract and retain students as they advance through their academic life. 

A class-by-class summary

Class of 2026 (Current Seniors)

The Class of 2026 started with 187 students in kindergarten and currently has 237 seniors, representing a 26.7% increase over their 13-year journey. This class reached its peak enrollment of 266 students in 11th grade before experiencing a 10.9% decline to 237 students in their senior year. Their enrollment pattern shows consistent growth through middle school and early high school, with a notable dip in 7th grade (COVID-19 impact) followed by recovery.

Class of 2027 (Current Juniors)

Starting with 221 kindergarteners, the Class of 2027 currently has 278 juniors, achieving a 25.8% growth rate. This class peaked at 285 students in 9th grade. Their progression shows steady growth through elementary and middle school, with particularly strong gains during their transition to high school.

Class of 2028 (Current Sophomores)

The Class of 2028 has demonstrated growth, increasing from 203 kindergarten students to 267 sophomores (31.5% increase). They reached their peak of 271 students in 9th grade, showing minimal decline in their current sophomore enrollment.

Class of 2029 (Current Freshmen)

Currently in 9th grade with 284 students, the Class of 2029 started with 215 kindergarteners, a 32.1% increase. However, they actually peaked at 291 students in 8th grade, experiencing a slight decline as they entered high school.

Class of 2030 (Current 8th Graders)

The Class of 2030 has grown from 217 kindergarten students to 263 eighth graders (21.2% increase). They reached their peak of 276 students in 7th grade before declining to their current enrollment. 

Class of 2031 (Current 7th Graders)

The Class of 2031 started with 230 kindergarteners and grew to 266 seventh graders (15.7% increase). They started with a major gain of 29 students entering 1st grade (12.6% increase), followed immediately by a loss of 28 students entering 2nd grade (-10.8%). This class stabilized with consistent modest gains through middle elementary grades, peaking at 272 students in 5th grade before slight declines in recent years.

Class of 2032 (Current 6th Graders)

Starting with the largest kindergarten cohort at 255 students, the Class of 2032 currently has 280 sixth graders, representing a 9.8% net increase. Unlike other classes, they experienced an initial decline of 14 students entering 1st grade (-5.5%), but then showed consistency with steady 14-15 student gains for three consecutive grade transitions.

Class of 2033 (Current 5th Graders)

The Class of 2033 started with the smallest kindergarten enrollment at 207 students but has grown to 257 fifth graders, a 24.2% increase. They experienced the largest proportional gain entering 1st grade with 31 additional students (15.0% increase). After their dramatic 1st-grade influx, this class maintained steady growth through 4th grade (264 students) before a small decline to their current 5th-grade enrollment.

Class of 2034 (Current 4th Graders)

Beginning with 234 kindergarteners, the Class of 2034 currently has 266 fourth graders (13.7% increase). This class has a 33-student gain entering 3rd grade (12.9% increase) followed immediately by a 22-student loss entering 4th grade (-7.6%). They marked their peak enrollment of 288 students in 3rd grade.

Class of 2035 (Current 3rd Graders)

Starting with 248 kindergarten students, the Class of 2035 has grown to 271 third graders (9.3% increase). They experienced a significant 2nd-grade decline of 18 students (-7.0%) before rebounding with a strong 32-student gain entering 3rd grade (13.4%).

Class of 2036 (Current 2nd Graders)

The Class of 2036 began with 229 kindergarteners and currently has 245 second graders (7.0% increase). They achieved the largest single-year gain among all younger classes with 40 additional students entering 1st grade (17.5% increase), followed by a substantial 24-student decrease entering 2nd grade (-8.9%).

Class of 2037 (Current 1st Graders)

The Class of 2037 dropped from 228 kindergarten students to 226 first graders in the 2025-2026 school year.