AISD enrollment surpasses goal
By Donnie A. Lucas
Albany ISD picked up a few new students since the first day of classes on Aug. 18, reporting a total enrollment of 508 on Monday of this week.
“Our enrollment is slightly more than it was last year at this time,” superintendent Jonathan Scott said. “The secondary campus has seen an increase, but the elementary has decreased slightly.”
A total of 265 students were on the roster as of Monday at elementary school, down by about 16 students.
The total number at the secondary campus was 243 on Monday, including 160 in high school and 83 in junior high.
“We had a few more who we were expecting show up this week for the first time,” Leigh Lowe, director of student services said. “Our goal was 500 students this year, so we are happy the numbers are staying strong.”
Part of the change in numbers for the two campuses is due to a large sixth grade class promoting to junior high this year, while the Pre-K and Head Start classes are smaller than usual.
The breakdown of enrollment by grade level for Nancy Smith Elementary is 28 for Pre-K and Head Start, 32 in kindergarten, 27 in first grade, 38 in second grade, 41 in third grade, 34 in fourth grade, 33 in fifth grade and 32 in sixth grade.
At the secondary campus, the numbers are as follows: seventh grade 41, eighth grade 42, ninth grade 49, 10th grade 44, 11th grade 33, and 12th grade 34.
A large portion of funding from the state is based on enrollment, but not total enrollment. Instead, the state calculates the percentage of attendance for each day and provides funding based on those figures.
“Student enrollment is one way that TEA funds the district,” the superintendent said, “so we are pleased to see the increase in enrollment.”
Lowe said that enrollment could still fluctuate some, but is usually stabilized by mid-September.
Last year, the state paid districts at least partially for students who were not in attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this year that adjustment does not exist, meaning state funding could be affected by a surge in the number of cases locally.
