Preschool Academy Enrollment Projected to Increase Steadily Through 2028
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia — Hopkins House released its 2026 annual analysis of enrollment trends at its Preschool Academy, projecting a gradual recovery in student enrollment over the next 24 months despite ongoing economic uncertainty affecting families throughout Northern Virginia.
The analysis, which examined more than a decade of enrollment data alongside regional childcare market trends, indicates that enrollment at the Hopkins House Preschool Academy is likely to increase steadily through years 2027 and 2028. Management projects average enrollment of approximately 132 to 140 children in 2027 and 142 to 152 children in 2028, assuming continued organizational investment in family outreach, tuition assistance, and enrollment growth strategies.
“While the childcare sector continues to face significant challenges, the data suggest that demand for high-quality early childhood education remains strong,” said J. Glenn Hopkins, President & CEO of Hopkins House. “Families increasingly recognize the importance of early learning experiences, and we are encouraged by recent enrollment gains and the long-term outlook for our Preschool Academy.”
Enrollment Fell Sharply During Pandemic
According to Hopkins House enrollment data, combined enrollment at the organization’s Helen Day and James L. & Juliette McNeil Preschool Academies averaged approximately 139 children annually prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Enrollment fell sharply during the pandemic and reached a low of 97 children in 2021. Since then, enrollment has steadily recovered, reaching 144 children in 2025 before declining to approximately 124 children this preschool year due to a combination of economic pressures, workforce disruptions, and changing family circumstances.
Despite these challenges, current enrollment trends show encouraging signs for Hopkins House. Enrollment increased from 108 children in August 2025 to 134 children in June 2026, suggesting that family demand for childcare services remains resilient.
Cautious But Positive Outlook
The Hopkins House analysis also found that broader regional conditions support a cautious but positive outlook. Northern Virginia continues to experience a shortage of high-quality early childhood education options, particularly for infants and toddlers. At the same time, workforce participation among parents remains high, increasing the need for reliable childcare services that enable families to work and pursue economic opportunities.
“High-quality childcare is not only an educational imperative; it is also an economic necessity,” Hopkins said. “When families have access to safe, nurturing, and affordable early learning programs like the Hopkins House Preschool Academy, children thrive and parents are better able to participate in the workforce. That benefits the entire community.”
Several Factors Could Influence Future Enrollment
The analysis notes that several factors could influence future enrollment levels, including the pace of economic recovery, inflationary pressures, federal workforce reductions, immigration-related concerns among some families, and overall affordability of childcare. To address these challenges, Hopkins House administrators and trustees are actively exploring additional enrollment strategies, expanded tuition assistance opportunities, and new program options designed to meet the evolving needs of working families.
Founded in 1939, Hopkins House is one of Northern Virginia’s oldest nonprofit organizations dedicated to advancing educational opportunity, family stability, and economic mobility. Through its Preschool Academies, workforce development initiatives, and family support programs, Hopkins House serves hundreds of children and families each year in Alexandria City and Fairfax County.
