The state had already seen enrollments drop by about 1% after years of fewer births and an aging population. The closing of school doors last year accelerated the decline as many families chose to home school instead of attending virtual schools.

Enrollment in public schools from kindergarten to high school remained virtually flat this year at 318,608, marking a decline of 13 students from last fall, according to data released by the Education Ministry.

In Albuquerque, kindergarten had the largest drop in enrollment last year, but the administrators hoped they would come back, even at the risk of overflowing the classes. But there was no rebound. In fact, enrollment is down slightly at all grade levels this year.

“In some cases, they stay at home. Some may be in private schools. And some – we wonder if they left the state, ”said Albuquerque Superintendent Scott Elder.

Because school funding is directly tied to enrollment, Albuquerque had a $ 35 million budget hole last year, filled with one-time federal funds.

Home school enrollment accounted for about half of decline in registrations across the state last year, from about 8,800 to 15,400. This year, home education is down slightly, to 10,300.

This release corrects for the fact that statewide fall enrollments were 318,608, not 318,621, and the overall decrease was 13 students, not an increase of 13 students.