LA PLATA, Md. (Oct. 26, 2008)—Charles County Public Schools grew by 51 students this school year, according to preliminary enrollment counts for the 2008-09 school year.
Enrollment is 26,727 students, up from 26,676 last school year. The increase is the lowest in two decades, down from triple-digit enrollment gains several years ago. This is the second consecutive year that enrollment increases have been less than 100 students. The enrollment count, taken on Sept. 30, is not official until it receives final verification by the Maryland State Department of Education. Maryland school systems take official student counts for the year on the last school day in September.
While the gain of students was 51, there were 3,192 students new to Charles County Public Schools this year. Of those, 1,436 students are attending school for the first time, such as prekindergarten and kindergarten students. The other 1,756 students are spread across schools and grade levels and have transferred into CCPS from a number of different places. There are 560 transfer students from Prince George's County; 386 from private schools; 354 from other states; 172 from Maryland other than Prince George's and Southern Maryland; 102 from Washington, D.C.; 52 from other countries; 47 from Virginia; 33 from St. Mary's County; 25 from home-school instruction; and 15 from Calvert County.
The three schools located on the North Point educational complex report the highest enrollments. North Point High School added a senior class this year and grew to the largest high school with 2,161 students. Theodore Davis Middle School, with 1,112 students is the largest middle school. William A. Diggs Elementary School has the highest elementary enrollment with 958 students.
Thomas Stone High School, with 1,561 students has the second largest high school enrollment. Mattawoman Middle School with an enrollment of 1,019, is the second largest middle school. Berry and William B. Wade elementary schools had 975 and 784 students respectively, making them the second and third highest enrolled elementary schools.
Enrollment data by school for this year and last year are on the CCPS Web site at www2.ccboe.com/aboutus/fastfacts.cfm on the Fast Facts page.
Source: Charles County public school system