Greencastle-Antrim School District enrollment tops 3,000 for first time

The agenda was light for the Sept. 15 meeting of the Greencastle-Antrim School District board of school directors. Superintendent Dr. C. Gregory Hoover presented enrollment statistics for the past 30 years, and the number of students is at an all-time high. So far 3,031 children are attending school in grades kindergarten through 12. Last year was the only one that saw a decline since 1989-90. The greatest influx was 1996-97 with 116 new faces. This year the increase is 47.

The primary and middle schools are at peak numbers, 660 and 735, respectively. The elementary has 687 students, and the high school 949. Their peaks were 836 and 977. The average number of students per grade is 233.

"Amazingly or not, we are still growing," said Hoover.

This year's growth came from a large kindergarten class, five pupils in new houses, 12 transferring from private schools, seven returning from charter schools, and six who were formerly homeschooled.

Director of education Bob Crider received approval to have students in grades 6, 8, 10 and 12 participate in the Pennsylvania Youth Survey. He said it was policy not to "over-survey" students, but the activity would open up opportunities for educational grants. There was no cost to the district.