Public schools in northern Virginia are about to get a little more crowded.
The number of students in Virginia’s public schools is expected to grow by 4 percent over the next five years. Most of that growth will be in northern Virginia. Many other school divisions, meanwhile, will see decreases in enrollment.
A University of Virginia study says a record 1.21 million students attended the state’s public schools in 2009-2010. Projections for the next five years show that about 50,000 more students will be enrolled in 2014-2015. The elementary grades will see two-thirds of that increase.
Fairfax, Prince William and Loudoun counties will account for an astounding 85 percent of the growth, according to the study. Enrollment losses are expected to occur in 53 school divisions, mostly in Southside and southwest Virginia.
The study was conducted by the the University of Virginia's Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service.
