Lake Oswego's two high schools have 2,459 students enrolled for the 2026-27 school year, 172 more than Portland State University's population forecast had projected.

The enrollment bump comes as bond-funded construction crews race to finish work at Lake Oswego High School, Lakeridge High School and Westridge Elementary.

Superintendent Jennifer Schiele warned families in a community message that some classrooms may not be ready for early-week events.

"Some rooms may still be a work in progress during Smart Start and Supply Drop-Offs; please remember these events are about building connections and welcoming your children," Schiele said, according to the Lake Oswego Review.

Projects this summer included new roofing at Lake Oswego High, fresh paint and windows at Lakeridge High, new flooring in both high schools' common areas and rebricking at Westridge.

The district's June newsletter described them as significant bond projects affecting access at all three campuses.

Staggered start, construction delays

Not every student reports on the same day. Grades 1-5, 6 and 9 start Tuesday, Sept. 8. Grades 7-8 and 10-12 follow Wednesday, Sept. 9.

All kindergarteners begin Friday, Sept. 11.

Smart Start, an in-person orientation for students with 504 plans and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), was held Thursday, Sept. 3 at all district schools from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Traffic near Lakeridge

Families dropping students at Lakeridge High should plan extra time.

Ongoing Stafford Road construction, combined with the return of school traffic, is expected to create heavier congestion in the area.

No completion date for the road work has been announced.

Mary Kay Larson, the district's executive director of communications, told the Lake Oswego Review by email that kindergarten enrollment is tracking closely with the PSU forecast.

Both LOSD and the neighboring West Linn-Wilsonville School District reported enrollment numbers in line with forecasts that project slight declines over the next decade.

West Linn-Wilsonville, which started its school year Tuesday, Sept. 1, enrolled 8,469 total students and 502 kindergarteners as of Aug. 25.

That district also saw changes this fall with the closure of Bolton and Stafford primary schools and the opening of Frog Pond Primary School in Wilsonville.

Families can check the district's ParentSquare page for updates on construction and school events.