District Spotlight: Mapping the Way Forward How District Leaders Are Using Data to Navigate Enrollment Shifts, Crisis Response, and Future Planning From school attendance zones to crisis response, K-12 leaders are using data to make critical decisions that affect students, families, and communities. Whether managing enrollment growth or adjusting school boundaries these leaders are using data to act with confidence, speed, and transparency. Nominated by their peers, these Analytics Influencers, are leading the way in using geospatial and demographic data to drive decisions that align with district goals and community needs. Explore the District Stories Managing Growth & Redistricting with Data Jenks Public Schools Redrawing Boundaries with Confidence Read More Managing Growth & Redistricting with Data Kentwood Public Schools Smart Planning for a Rapidly Growing District Read More Leading the Way in Data-Driven Decision-Making These district leaders are turning data into action, using geospatial and demographic insights to: Plan for growth and balance enrollment in evolving communities Improve community outreach and support with efficient, data-informed logistics Explore how districts are using data to navigate today’s challenges and plan for the future of K-12 education. Return to District Spotlight Managing Growth & Redistricting with Data Jenks Public Schools District Background Location Jenks, Oklahoma Enrollment 12,000+ Schools 10 Focus Redistricting Redrawing Boundaries with Confidence Led by Dr. Amy Hudson, Executive Director of Student Programs, the Jenks Public Schools leadership team used data to create a redistricting plan for elementary and intermediate schools to help reduce overcrowding and plan for future growth in the district. Data Challenge Jenks Public Schools faced a complex redistricting challenge due to shifting enrollment patterns. Without a data-driven approach, boundary adjustments risked overcrowding some schools while leaving others underutilized. The district needed accurate, real-time insights to guide their decisions to communicate changes effectively to their community. Standardize Boundary Planning By leveraging Frontline Location Analytics and a demographic survey report, Jenks developed an approach to redistricting that used student enrollment, home location, and building capacity data to change the attendance zones to maximize the use of current school buildings. Clear Communication Multiple redistricting scenarios were considered using Frontline Location Analytics and demographic survey reports to finalize the changes made at the elementary and intermediate levels. District leaders provided data-driven information for proposed changes and communicated clearly with school sites, families, and the community. Managing Growth & Redistricting with Data Kentwood Public Schools District Background Location Grand Rapids, Michigan Enrollment 9,357 Schools 16 Focus Re-balancing School Capacity Managing Growth in a Rapidly Changing District The Kentwood Public Schools leadership team used data to strategically manage district-wide enrollment growth and balance school capacity. Data Challenge Kentwood Public Schools is one of the few districts in the country experiencing continuous growth, with student enrollment increasing due to rapid housing development. This created major imbalances in elementary school populations, with enrollments ranging from 300 to 700 students. Without a clear data strategy, the district faced potential overcrowding and resource disparities. Optimize Enrollment & Attendance Zones Using Frontline Location Analytics, Kentwood integrated community population trends, student demographics, transfer patterns, and census data like median household income to model balanced attendance boundaries and inform redistricting decisions. Create a Data-Driven, Transparent Process Their data-driven approach helped them balance enrollment, predict future growth, and ensure equity across schools while providing transparency for stakeholders. Want to learn how other districts are using geospatial data to guide enrollment, boundaries, and crisis planning? Fill out the form to explore the tools that help K-12 leaders plan for what’s next.
