Enrollment in Chandler Unified School District is up more than 700 students from last school year, the district reported Wednesday.
On the 10th day of school (Aug. 5) -- classes began in Chandler on July 25 -- district enrollment was at 39,498. On the 10th day of school in 2010, enrollment was at 38,786, district spokesman Terry Locke said.
The district had projected about a 500-student increase for this year. Last year, it saw a 900 student increase over 2009, though it had projected a little more than 700.
"We always budget conservatively," Locke said. "It's too difficult to budget backward if you don't hit your enrollment. But we were very pleased. We came in ahead of projections."
The district has seen fewer new students each of the past few years as fewer new homes are built.
"We're really close to build out, but we're still having some good growth," Locke said. Much of the growth in recent years is in the southeastern end of the district's boundaries. The district is in the process of planning a new elementary school there, to open in 2012.
Chandler district is on a modified year-round schedule. Most other East Valley districts began classes just this week.
soricobob posted at 5:33 am on Thu, Aug 11, 2011.
Good, Chandler deserves a student increase. The failure of most charter schools to deliver on their promises is starting to pay off for the public schools.