By JOHN HOFHEIMER
Leader senior staff writer
After the fifth day of school, enrollment at Pulaski County Special School District is up for the first time in recent history, according to Robert Clowers, director of educational accountability.
Clowers said the district will take an eight-day count next week to confirm the new enrollment of 18,068—up 199 from last year.
“This is very encouraging,” he said. He thought advertising and better test scores contributed to the increase.
Elementary school enrollment, including pre-kindergarten, was up 339 from last year, while secondary schools lost about 140 students, including 38 from the Jacksonville Girls Middle School and another 23 from the boys school.
Here’s how area schools fared, starting with the elementary schools. Arnold Drive—268 students, up from 257; Bayou Meto—380, up from 374; Homer Adkins Pre-K--96, down from 101; Jacksonville--540, up from 537.
Murrell Taylor—405, down from 428; Pinewood—405, up from 394; Cato—346 up from 341; Warren Dupree—287, down from 302.
Middle schools:
Jacksonville boys—341, down from 346; Jacksonville girls—344, down from 382; Northwood—637 up from 618; Sylvan Hills—673, up from 660.
High schools:
North Pulaski—858, up from 920; Jacksonville—1058, up from 1029; Sylvan Hills—978, up from 899.