GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Grand Rapids Public Schools had one of their best count days in recent history this fall.
According to district officials, the district has seen a 20-student increase over fall of last year and a 214-student increase above their budgeted projections which is worth more than $1.7 million.
Officials said the gains are a mix of new and some returning students at neighborhood schools, as well as theme schools. In particular, Brookside Elementary saw a large increase in their count day numbers.
"There is just a group of parents that are out there, they're holding house parties and bringing neighbors in with kids in baby carriages saying come be part of this school," said John Helmholdt with GRPS.
"GRPS is proud to announce that we had our second-best Count Day in two decades -- increasing enrollment by 20 students over last fall and 214 students over budget projections," said Superintendent Ron Gorman. "The energy, excitement, and momentum continues to grow as more and more parents are learning about all the great school choices we have to offer at GRPS.”
Now the district hopes to keep the momentum going with the additional funding. Part of the money will go towards attracting and retaining the best teachers in the state.
"We know when you've got the highest effective teacher and the best principal that moves student achievement, it creates student culture so that is something we are going to look at," said Helmholdt.
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