Hawaii’s public schools enrolled more than 180,000 students for the 2015-16 academic year, the state Department of Education reported Friday.
Some 180,409 students enrolled in the state Department of Education’s 256 schools and 34 charter schools, compared with 180,895 in school year 2014-15, and 185,273 in 2013-14, according to the state. Of those 180,409 students, 169,987 are attending public schools; charter schools represent 5.8 percent of public school enrollment.
The greatest enrollment changes were recorded in kindergarten and first grade with an increase of 3,025 students and decrease of 4,076 students, respectively. The department said the change in enrollment could be attributed to a legislative change to the kindergarten entry age.
Over the next several years, the department projects a stable enrollment rate due to birth rates.