Opening day enrollment at the Houston School District is up from the same period a year ago.
The first day saw 1,036 children in classrooms. That’s up 17 from last year’s opener. A breakdown shows: Kindergarten, 60; first, 66; second, 80; third, 68; fourth, 70; fifth, 80; sixth, 78; seventh, 66; eighth, 89; ninth, 104; tenth, 97; eleventh, 98; and twelfth, 80.
All of the county’s nearly 4,000 students returned to school during the last week. Plato had the biggest enrollment jump from opening day last year – from 641 to 675. Licking (867) and Raymondville (118) showed increases. Summersville’s enrollment was pegged at 378 – nearly unchanged from two years ago. Cabool’s head count was down seven to 778 from opening day a year ago. Success (96) had four fewer pupils.
School superintendents keep close tabs on their census numbers because it directly affects their financial fortunes. Fewer students translates into less state aid. Traditionally, administrators have a good idea by Labor Day of the number of students.