New research shows the
San Diego Unified School District
is experiencing a turnaround in student enrollment this academic year. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has the details.
District officials tally the number of students attending traditional public schools and charter schools every year. The latest figures show districtwide there's been an increase of more than 700 students this year.
The data also indicates that for the first time in six years, more kids are attending traditional public schools. That's significant because those campuses have been losing students by the thousands.
The district's Roy McPahil says the new numbers suggest there are better times ahead.
MacPhail:
Its challenging to know exactly what to project for the future. But it does look like we are seeing some stabilization and maybe even modest growth rather than more decline.
MacPhail also says the data shows the number of kindergarteners attending local schools has increased by 500 students. He says that bodes well for the future.
MacPhail:
We do tend to see that cohort move through our system. So I think it's a sign that the big declines that we've seen in our elementary enrollment are basically over.
Superintendent Terry Grier
credits the enrollment boost an overall push to attract more students from private and charter school settings.
Charter schools in San Diego Unified saw their numbers go up by one percent -- that's the smallest increase in charter school enrollment in the past few years.
Ana Tintocalis, KPBS News.
Tune into KPBS Radio's These Days program on Wednesday morning to hear host Tom Fudge speak with Superintendent Terry Grier about the school year.
