Media Contact: Fred Lewis (OSSE) - [email protected], (202) 412-2167
Preliminary, unaudited 2017-18 school year numbers show 1.6 percent gain over prior school year. Official audited numbers will be released in March 2018.
The number of students enrolled in public schools in the District increased for the ninth consecutive year, reaching 91,537*, according to preliminary data released today by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). The 2017-18 school year saw enrollment grow by 1,476 students over the previous year – a 1.6 percent increase.
“After a decade of education reform and historic investments in our public schools, our students continue to achieve at higher levels,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. “Families are recognizing the tremendous work happening in schools across our city, and, each year, more families choose our public schools to educate and care for their children.”
The unaudited figures show steady growth citywide. At District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) there was a slight decrease from 48,555 to 48,169 and an increase in student enrollment in public charter schools from 41,506 to 43,429. As in previous years, OSSE anticipates enrollment to increase citywide over the course of the school year.
“At OSSE, we are proud to support the educators and staff in our schools and local education agencies,” said State Superintendent of Education Hanseul Kang. “It is because of their hard work and dedication to our students that families continue to choose our public schools each year.”
Public School Enrollment Since 2007
| Year | DCPS | Charter | State | |
|
SY2007-08 |
49,422 |
21,947 |
71,369 |
|
|
SY2008-09 |
45,190 |
25,729 |
70,919 |
|
|
SY2009-10 |
44,718 |
27,661 |
72,379 |
|
|
SY2010-11 |
45,631 |
29,366 |
74,997 |
|
|
SY2011-12 |
45,191 |
31,562 |
76,753 |
|
|
SY2012-13 |
45,557 |
34,673 |
80,230 |
|
|
SY2013-14 |
46,393 |
36,565 |
82,958 |
|
|
SY2014-15 |
47,548 |
37,684 |
85,403 |
|
|
SY2015-16 |
48,439 |
38,905 |
87,344 |
|
|
SY2016-17 |
48,555 |
41,506 |
90,061 |
|
|
SY2017-18** |
48,169 |
43,429 |
91,537 |
|
Background on the District’s Audit of Student Enrollment
As DC’s state education agency, OSSE conducts an annual enrollment audit of public schools. The preliminary numbers above are based on a snapshot of data certified by local education agencies in October. This marks the beginning of an enrollment audit and certification process that takes several months and is conducted in collaboration with an outside firm. Final audited enrollment figures will be published by OSSE in March 2018.
*Note: State level enrollment subtotal does not equal DCPS + Charter totals due to student duplications. Duplications have been removed from the state level numbers, but may still exist at the sector level in these preliminary, unaudited figures.
**These figures represent preliminary data. Final audited enrollment figures will be published by OSSE in March 2018.
