GJHS enrollment numbers skyrocket

The number of students enrolled at GJHS hits a record-breaking number for the 2025-26 school year

Ashlyn Baker, Promotions Manager • August 18, 2025

GJHS students make their way through the packed hallways on their way to lunch. High numbers force the hallways to feel more congested than previous years.

Grand Junction High School has experienced a substantial increase in enrollment in the past five years.

Being forced to accommodate over 2,000 total students has taken a toll on both staff and students. While not all feelings are negative from students themselves, some students involved in clubs are feeling pressure to include everyone. With a freshman class of 592, annual events have to be altered to make it impressionable for all.

“[Student Council’s] main goal is to try to make sure everybody is represented and happy… all the students definitely complicate things,” said sophomore Class President Noah Jones.

Teachers are facing similar challenges in the classroom setting.

“They have 30 plus kids in their class. Can you imagine grading 30 plus papers times six classes?” said GJHS Counselor Nicole Chaffin.

The real question is, how long can the school keep up with these students? The number of total people enrolled varies between 2,000 and 2,032 due to moving or choosing to go to other schools. Generally, according to GJHS Principal Jory Sorensen, there are an average of 200 students off campus at a time, resulting in the number of students in class being slightly under 1,800. Despite this, classrooms are struggling to support this many kids.

“They’re going to have to redraw the boundaries… I think they should spread the wealth,” said Chaffin.

Other high schools in the valley are not experiencing this much of an overload, bringing in talks of making changes to where students are zoned.

“We cannot support having classes as big as we do,” said Sorenson.

Furniture turned scarce this year, with many students having to sit on the floor. Teachers are encouraged to reach out to administration if help is needed.

Scheduling has changed, allowing teachers of the same subject to stay on a designated floor. Teachers are no longer moving from the first floor to the third floor, saving time and energy.

The more students that enroll at GJHS, the more opportunities these students have to discover what this school has to offer, even if it is packed.

Editors’ Note: Orange and Black and reporter Wren Wilcox contributed to this article

Donate to The Orange and Black Newspaper

$50

$500

Contributed

Our Goal

Your donation will support the student journalists of Grand Junction High School. Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.

About the Contributors

Ashlyn Baker, Promotions Manager

Ashlyn Baker is a sophomore at GJHS. She is the promotions manager for the Orange and Black Newspaper. She loves reading, writing, and plays volleyball. She joined the second semester of the 2024-25 school year and is looking forward to being part of the staff again.

Wren Wilcox, Reporter

Wren Wilcox is a sophomore at Grand Junction High School and a reporter for the Orange & Black Newspaper. She enjoys swimming, playing softball, hanging out with friends and being outside. This is her first year being a part of the Orange & Black.