New Hampshire's public school enrollment fell by nearly 20% in the past 20 years.

The state's shrinking child population drove much of the decline; the pandemic accelerated it.

Public school enrollment has been declining steadily every year, but this accerated during the pandemic. Public school enrollment in 2021 is about 4.5% below what it was in 2019, right before the pandemic.

Note: Enrollment data includes public charter schools. Districts and charter schools report these numbers to the state every fall.

Chart: NHPR Source: New Hampshire Department of Education