Instead of simply sending their children to a different public school, some parents who don't get their first-choice school withdraw their children from the public system altogether and look instead to private schools, according to Walser.

To compound the problem, in years past, parents of children registered for private schools were not allowed to be on the waiting lists for public elementaries.

But the district has begun its struggle to satisfy parents and win back students. This year, that rule has been reversed, and private school parents can enter their children on public school waiting lists.

Looking Ahead

The district is trying to maintain the quality of its programs despite waning enrollment, though.

Last year, it created the new office of student achievement and accountability. The office does not tackle the enrollment issue per se, but clearly the issues of student achievement and school improvement are inextricably linked to parents' enrollment decisions.

And two school mergers have already been coordinated, and another is under way.

At the Tobin School, three programs were combined into one after parents decided this would be the best way for students to benefit from the school's unique offerings despite depressed enrollment.