TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Sickles, Gaither get breathing room

ADVERTISEMENT

By MICHELE SAGER

msager@tampatrib.com

Published: September 9, 2009

TAMPA - Enrollment figures show Sickles and Gaither high schools are finally seeing relief, while most other local school enrollments are steady.

The opening of Steinbrenner High this year eased crowding at Sickles and Gaither. Both schools were operating above capacity last year. Gaither had 2,339 students, and Sickles had 2,629 students on Day 40 of the school year in 2008.

This year, those numbers have dropped. Gaither is slightly under capacity with 2,114 students, and Sickles dramatically dropped below its capacity to 1,980.

Steinbrenner had 1,558 students on its first day.

Across the district, schools are seeing more students this year, which is what officials projected.

Hillsborough County reported a total of 187,820 students in kindergarten through the 12th grade, up 2,551 students from the fifth day last year. The figures do not include prekindergarten classes.

The district estimates it will have about 189,000 students this school year; there were 178,781 on the first day of school.

The next count takes place on the 10th day of school. The most telling count will be the 20th day, Sept. 22, when enrollment will have somewhat settled.

Reporter Sherri Ackerman contributed to this report. Reporter Michele Sager can be reached at (727) 451-2344.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT