Cherokee County School District has topped 39,000 enrollment

The district anticipated a peak enrollment of 38,925. Wednesday, they got a surprise.

For the first time, student enrollment in the Cherokee County School District has topped 39,000.

On the sixth day of school Wednesday, enrollment reached 39,039. The school system estimated that the number would peak at 38,925 this year.

"Our increasing enrollment is further evidence that more families are learning about the top-notch public school system we have here and making the choice to enroll their children with us," district spokeswoman Barbara Jacoby said in an email.

Jacoby said the Cherokee County Board of Education's decision to use eight furlough days "as opposed to further depleting reserves in order to balance the 2012-13 School Year budget puts the School District in a better position to deal with these and other costs associated with higher-than-anticipated enrollment."

The growth in the district coincides with the launch of Cherokee Academies, an initiative intended to expand school choice options in the county.

Four elementary schools, Ball Ground, Canton, Clark Creek and Holly Springs, opened last Wednesday as science, technology, engineering and mathematics academies. Two schools, Hasty and Oak Grove, opened as fine arts academies.

"As the School District nears enrollment of 40,000," Jacoby said, "it also means we have a large enough student population to offer additional specialized academic programs ... like the Cherokee Academies initiative ... and future phases of it."

By the Numbers Day 6 count: 39,039 students Number of students who enrolled in the Cherokee County School District on Wednesday: 47 Number of students who have enrolled since the first day of school: 817 Projected peak enrollment: 38,925

Source: Woodstock Patch