All three school complex areas on the Big Island have more students enrolled this year compared to last year, despite enrollment statewide decreasing slightly.
All three school complex areas on the Big Island have more students enrolled this year compared to last year, despite enrollment statewide decreasing slightly.
Data released Friday by the state Department of Education shows 7,744 students were enrolled in the Hilo-Waiakea Complex Area this month. That’s up from 7,607 in the 2016-17 school year and 7,569 in the 2015-16 school year.
In the Ka‘u-Keaau-Pahoa Complex Area, 5,392 students are enrolled this year — up from 5,353 last year which was identical to the 2015-16 school year.
Enrollment in the Honokaa-Kealakehe-Kohala-Konawaena Complex Area also is up slightly. There are 9,955 students enrolled this year, an increase from 9,932 in 2016-17 and 9,803 in 2015-16.
Statewide, enrollment is 179,255 this year, down from 179,902 last year and 180,409 students in the 2015-16 school year.
The DOE did not say in a news release Friday why enrollment was up on Hawaii Island schools but down statewide.
Calls to several East Hawaii administrators were not returned Friday by deadline.
Charter school enrollment statewide also is up. Friday’s data shows 11,160 students are enrolled in charter schools this year, an increase of 526 students.
The state added two additional charter schools this year.