As part of an ongoing report on enrollment trends, the Melbourne Beachsider examined district numbers more deeply to find out why enrollment at “A” rated Gemini Elementary School is on a steady downward trend and not expected to level out or rebound anytime soon.
In May, Principal Jennifer Julian was quoted in the Beachsider saying her biggest question was how to manage the enrollment decline and per-student funding. Julian cited the economy and job loss as the reason – logic that seemed contrary to every bit of good news coming down the pike about job growth in the greater Melbourne area.
Brevard’s Assistant Superintendent of Facilities Dane Theodore believes the cause of the decline is due to a decrease each year in younger students replacing those graduating.
But school district numbers since 2011 show that countywide, each year Brevard has more kindergarten students enrolling than sixth graders graduating, indicating growth, couples starting families or moving here with young children.
Gemini numbers, however, say something different. Since 2011, Gemini has consistently had fewer kindergarteners enroll than sixth graders.
During the 2011-2012 school year, Brevard County had 293 more kindergarten students than sixth grade students. In this same year, Gemini Elementary had 39 more sixth graders than kindergarteners.
In the 2012-2013 school year the county had 662 more kindergartners than sixth graders. At Gemini, there were 31 more sixth graders than kindergartners.
During the 2013-2014 school year, the county had 594 more kindergarteners than sixth graders. Gemini had 39 more sixth graders than kindergartners.
In 2015-2016, the county had 534 more kindergartners than sixth graders and Gemini had 33 more sixth graders than kindergarteners.
In 2016 the county numbers took big jump. Only 124 more kindergartners than sixth graders. Gemini stayed at a steady pace and had 42 more sixth graders than kindergarteners.
In 2017 the county had 149 more kindergarteners than sixth graders and Gemini still had 41 more sixth graders than kindergarteners.
These numbers seem to prove Dr. Theodore’s prediction: Gemini is not enrolling as many kindergarten students to replace those graduating to middle school. Theodore stated unequivocally that there are no plans to close the southernmost barrier island school. Enhanced programs, he said, could be added to attract new students who would exercise school choice to attend Gemini.
Programs geared toward younger students may be just what this school needs to help boost enrollment and funding. Special education services could also fulfill the needs for many families in the area. The south beaches are aging. The number of students with developmental delays are rising.
Susan Belcher of Melbourne Beach pulled her son Zane from Gemini after kindergarten because they were unable to accommodate his special needs. Zane is autistic and came to Gemini from Space Coast Early Intervention Center with an already existing Individual Education Plan. Belcher’s biggest concern was the misuse of her son’s IEP. “He was neglected” she said. “Though there were several children with IEPs in his classroom, there was no aid assistance present” she said. Even with several IEP meetings and private meetings with the principal, Belcher felt her son’s needs were not addressed.
Belcher co-founded Spring Forward for Autism, a non-profit organization which helps families like hers affected by autism. Prevalence of autism in U.S. children increased by 119.4 percent from 2000 (1 in 150) to 2010 (1 in 68). Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability according to the Centers for Disease Control.
“Not only did they fail in providing an education for my child, they pushed him backwards 2 years” she said. Zane currently attends Our Lady of Lourdes in Melbourne.
If not services for autistic children, other options to target the primary grades might be an intensive reading center or a team of specialists to help those youngest students who struggle to overcome speech and language barriers. The discussion and planning for how to keep Gemini a viable school – not starved for dollars due to dwindling enrollment – is an important one for the South Beaches community and for school leaders.
