SAN DIEGO – Continuing to contrast other large urban school districts around the nation, San Diego Unified’s official enrollment for the 2008-09 school year increased for the second school year, to 132,814.
The enrollment on September 26, the official recording day, was 705 students more than the official 2007-08 tally in kindergarten through 12th grades. The 2007-08 count was up by 294 over 2006-07 school year.
“We want to make our schools the first choice for education in San Diego,” said Superintendent Terry Grier. “This district’s continued improvement on our test scores, providing more choices for our students and Team San Diego -- our great teachers and staff -- have helped make that happen.”
Popular new schools include the Millennial Tech Middle School and Memorial Middle School, which add to the variety of education available. In addition, expanded programs at existing schools -- including the Crown Point Junior Music Academy -- have resulted in full classrooms.
“Our facilities have improved greatly over the past few years, as a result of the voters approving Prop. MM back in 1998,” said Grier, noting that two schools, Sherman and Fay elementary schools, opened new facilities this year as a result of the earlier vote. A new bond is on the November ballot.
The 2008-09 enrollment had been projected to drop by around 160 students. Among individual grades, the largest increase was in third grade, with 559 students. Other grades showing increases are kindergarten, with 408 students, and 11th, with 294.
“Our schools have shown much improvement, but we have to keep the trust of the community and continue motivating our students to succeed,” Grier said.
For the complete enrollment report, go online to www.sandi.net/about/0809enrollment.pdf 
News reports on the enrollment increase: San Diego Union-Tribune | KPBS-FM
