GCS Enrollment Down Slightly But Higher Than Projected

The district had 71,464 students enrolled on the 20th day of school; trend toward increasing global diversity continues

Contact: Laurie Hogan (336) 370-8307
Created: 10/7/2009 5:04:35 PM

Guilford County Schools (GCS) enrollment on the 20th day was down slightly from last year, but 385 more students enrolled than expected. On Sept. 22, 71,464 students were enrolled while the district had projected a population of 71,079 students.

The projection, which staff finalized seven months ago, was within half of a percentage point of the actual enrollment. Overall, there were fewer elementary and middle school students than projected, while more high school students enrolled than included in the projection. While GCS staff projections have traditionally been within less than a percentage point of the actual enrollment, this year’s projection cannot be compared directly with past projections due to elements that changed the way the projection was made – like the age requirement for kindergarten. Starting with the 2009-10 school year, a change in state law requires children to turn 5 on or before Aug. 31 to enter kindergarten. Kindergarten enrollment was down by 464 students on the 20th day this year with 4,870 kindergarten students enrolled in GCS.

The district uses the 20th day school membership to monitor yearly student enrollment and to begin adjusting staff allocations as needed. Last year, 188 more students were enrolled for a total of 71,652 on the 20th day. State funding is based on the 40th day school membership.

Although student enrollment is down slightly overall, some areas and schools experienced significant increases. The Northern Region had a net increase of 213 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Northern High, which added the 12th grade this year, experienced the largest growth in GCS with 317 more students attending on the 20th day. Union Hill Elementary, which opened in a new school facility, had 159 more students than last year.

These shifts mean some students may find their classrooms split into two to accommodate growth, while others may need to combine two grades into one. At the secondary school level, some students may experience schedule changes as teacher class loads are adjusted now that enrollment has stabilized district-wide. GCS has also projected some additional teaching positions to accommodate increases in school enrollment.

Reflecting national demographic trends, which show the United States is becoming increasingly diverse, GCS has been a minority-majority school district since the 2000-01 school year. According to the 20th day figures, GCS is about 61 percent non-white and 39 percent white. The breakdown of the district is 40.4 percent black, 39.1 percent white, 9.2 percent Hispanic, 5.5 percent Asian, 5.3 percent multiracial and 0.5 percent Native American.

GCS serves students from 142 different countries who speak 150 different languages and dialects. The top languages spoken in the district after English are Spanish, Vietnamese, Arabic, Urdu and Korean. Click on the link below to view the 20-day enrollment by school.

http://www.gcsnc.com/pdfs/day20.pdf

To leave feedback, a comment or a suggestion on this press release, click here.

To watch the lastest news break from GCSTV 2, click here.

More Headlines

Recap of American Education Week Southeast High and Southeast Middle Building Advisory Meeting Southeast Alumnus Named National College Swimmer of the Week Board of Education Meeting - Canceled Governor Bev Perdue Visits Grimsley High Advanced Learning Department Seeks Feedback through Survey Guilford County Schools Celebrates American Education Week Vandalia Students Fight Hunger with Wall of Cans Murphey Teachers Bring Storybook Characters to Life GCS Celebrates American Indian Heritage Month

Back to District News

About Guilford County Schools

Guilford County Schools is the third largest school district in North Carolina serving more than 71,000 students at 120 schools. With approximately 10,000 employees, the district’s mission is to graduate responsible citizens prepared to succeed in higher education or the career of their choice. 

Guilford County Schools is a national leader in providing specialized schools and instructional programs designed to meet the educational needs of a culturally diverse citizenship.  For more information, visit the district’s Web site at www.gcsnc.com.