Enrollments appear to be on upswing

Yellow school buses found their way throughout the Brainerd lakes area for the first day of school today for most students, and it seems bus drivers have had to pick up more students than last year at many area schools. Student enrollment has increased in the majority of schools. In Pequot Lakes, the district had about 60 new students who have enrolled since June 1. While enrollment numbers may change throughout the week, here is a look at student enrollment as of today.

The Brainerd School District reported that 3,028 students in kindergarten through fifth grade enrolled in the district today. Enrollment at each school has remained about the same as last year.

The Pequot Lakes School District reported an increase of about 60 students since June 1, a record number of new students, said Superintendent Jim Oraskovich. Student enrollment this morning was 696 students for kindergarten through sixth grade and 650 seventh- though 12th-graders. On June 1, there were 614 high school students and 674 elementary school students registered in the district. The district has closed open enrollment for first, fifth, ninth and 11th grades in order to accommodate the influx of new students. Oraskovich said that the majority of the new students seemed to have moved into the district this summer, rather than enrolled at the school under open enrollment.

The Pine River-Backus School District reported total enrollment at 1,220 students, a decrease of 60 students since last year on the first day of school. Pine River-Backus High School reported 638 students in attendance today, a decrease of two students. Pine River Elementary School reported 419 students today, a decrease of 41 students. Backus Elementary reported 163 students today, a decrease of 17 students from last year.

The Pierz School District reported a student enrollment of 999 students in kindergarten through 12th grade today, with 577 students enrolled in seventh throught 12th grade and 422 students in kindergarten through sixth grade. A decrease of five students was reported in the elementary school and an increase of 23 students in the high school from last year.

The Staples-Motley School District wasn't able to report enrollment figures today since 10th-12th grade students don't start school until Wednesday.

Crosby-Ironton School District reported 736 students in seventh through 12th grades, a decrease of seven high school students from last year at this time. Cuyuna Range Elementary School reported 735 students enrolled today, a decrease of 36 students from last year at this time.

The Little Falls School District reported a total of 3,522 students in kindergarten through 12th grade, an increase of three students from last year at this time. Lindbergh Elementary School reported 705 students, Lincoln Elementary reported 426 students and S.G. Knight Elementary reported 199 students. There were 850 middle school students and 1,290 high school students who reported to school today.

The Pillager School District reported a 6 percent increase in student enrollment in kindergarten through 12th grade today. Pillager Elementary reported 384 students enrolled today, an increase of 4 students from last year on the first day of school. Pillager High School reported 345 students enrolled in school today, an increase of 40 students.

Walker-Hackensack-Akeley School District reported 1,042 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. At Walker elementary, 277 students were enrolled today and at Akeley elementary, 265 students were reported. About 500 students were enrolled at Walker-Hackensack-Akeley High School today.