Texas County’s school enrollment numbers held steady on opening day, a survey of the seven districts show. Only two showed declines.
At Houston, there were 1,042 pupils in classrooms. That’s up six from opening day a year ago. Dr. Dan Vandiver, school superintendent, said the largest class is ninth grade, where 114 are enrolled. The smallest enrollments are in first, second and eighth.
Here is the breakdown: kindergarten, 75; first, 65; second, 66; third, 78; fourth, 76, fifth, 69; sixth, 81; seventh, 80; eighth, 65, freshmen, 114; sophomores, 85; juniors, 98; and seniors, 90.
The biggest enrollment jump came at Cabool, where 806 arrived, but enrollment stood at 815 on Monday. On the first day last year, 782 attended. Superintendent Wes Davis said the head count was up at each building by about 10-12. That’s good news for Davis’ budget because much of the state aid is based on enrollment numbers. “It was a surprise,” Davis said.
A Licking enrollment dropped 17 to 850 on the first day compared to a year ago. The tally: elementary, 450; and high school, 400.
Plato’s enrollment showed the biggest drop from the first day a year ago: From 675 to 636. The breakdown: elementary, 280; middle school, 148; and high school, 208.
Raymondville saw an increase of nine to 127. Success had 99 in classrooms, which was up three from a year ago.
Summersville gained six. The numbers: kindergarten through six grade, 214; and seventh through 12th grade, 170.
In all, 3,944 attend public schools in Texas County. That’s down eight from the first day a year ago.