Rockdale Citizen

CONYERS -- More Rockdale County students are enrolled in schools than originally projected.

Student enrollment has topped projections for the second time this year and has nearly hit the record for the school year so far.

Officials with Rockdale County Public Schools reported to the Rockdale County Board of Education in February its latest enrollment figures, which were taken in January on the 100th day of school. Another count was taken last month and will be reported at the school board's next monthly work session.

According to the enrollment report, 15,993 students are enrolled in the system's 22 facilities.

Enrollment was projected at 15,978 students for the school year. It was been greater only in September, when 15,997 students were enrolled.

The school year began with 15,959 students.

The latest enrollment figure includes 7,301 elementary school students at the county's 13 facilities, 3,676 middle school students at four middle schools and the Alpha Academy alternative school and 5,016 high school students at the three traditional high schools, Alpha, the Rockdale Career Academy, Open Campus and the Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology.

Over the past several years, the 60- or 80-day counts are typically the highest, school officials have said; prior to that, the 100th day of school was the highest.

Although the figures are high, Lee Davis, chief financial officer for RCPS, said the system is OK in regards to student-teacher ratios.