School enrollment projected to rise by nearly 30%

As the School Building Committee continues its preliminary work in the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) pipeline, enrollment projections estimate the student body could grow to 2,586 by 2034, a 27.7% increase from the current year.

That estimate, a similar finding to one calculated in a third-party study released in October 2025, is driven by several housing projects underway or under consideration in town, as well as a slight increase in the number of births over the last 10 years. Building permits for multifamily projects have also jumped in recent years – 2016 to 2023 had zero permits issued, while there were five in 2024 and 23 in 2025. Additional permits are expected to be issued in 2026 and 2027, according to the district’s projections.

“We’re seeing an increase in multifamily and multi-unit construction that we have not seen in the past,” said Daniel Colli, who also serves on the Permanent Building Committee. “That trend, we think, is going to continue.”

The School Building Committee conducted a first read of its enrollment projection on May 21 and is expected to send it to the state at its next meeting. The document, as well as an educational profile questionnaire, are due to the Massachusetts School Building Authority by June 30.

Among those projects are the 172-unit Modera Weston at 751 Boston Post Road, which is currently under construction, and two potential Boston Properties developments of 100 townhome units and 180 multifamily units.at 133 Boston Post Road that were unlocked by the MBTA 3A Communities Act zoning plan. While Modera Weston is expected to be completed in 2027, there has been no public signal from Boston Properties as to when development will begin.

The committee also expects to include several other developments in town, including 104 Boston Post road, the Manor on North redevelopment and the “Weston Whopper” at 518 South Ave., which is currently under litigation.

“We need to have all of the ones that are reasonably planned,” Chair Ken Newberg said, noting it’s probably better to be “overinclusive than under.” “It’s important to paint the picture of us as a growing town, particularly with multifamily.”

Even with housing developments in the pipeline it is unclear how many additional students are expected to attend Weston Public Schools, as there is no guarantee that families with children will move into town and the age ranges is unknown.

“I did all sorts of modeling,” Maija Cirulis-Gooch, the Finance Committee’s representative, said. “I can’t tell you exactly how many kids we’re going to get.”

The School Building Committee will finalize its enrollment information and educational profile questionnaire at its June 4 meeting.

In other business, the School Building Committee’s composition has changed. Following the annual town election and the School Committee’s May 11 reorganization, Steve Dietz has been swapped in for Jane Li, who has received new assignments to the budget subcommittee and Parent Teacher Organization.