Washington Post Online: Charter School Enrollment Up nearly 6 percent

Enrollment in the city's 52 public charter schools is up nearly 6 percent this fall, according to a preliminary count by the D.C. Public Charter School Board. The board reported Wednesday afternoon that its unaudited student count stands at 29,557. That's 5.7 percent more than the October 2009 census.

Charter officials are describing it as a 7 percent jump, but that's comparing it to last year's final audited figure of 27,617, which is derived after residency records are verified. The final audited count, available early next year, is usually a bit a bit lower, so the apples-to-apples comparison is the October count.

In any event, the data signals continued growth for the city's charter sector, which does not appear to be losing ground even as DCPS enrollment stabilizes and inches upward. Charter schools now educate close to 40 percent of the District's public schoolchildren.

"We are pleased that parents continue to choose charter schools as an option," board chairman Brian Jones said in a statement. "Even with the closure of five charter schools this year we continue to see growth at all grade levels. This is an indication that charter schools continue to play a key role in education reform."

By Bill Turque | October 6, 2010; 2:56 PM ET