School system counts more than 40,000 students on first day

First day enrollment figures were released Tuesday for Hamilton County schools, showing more than 40,000 students being counted on Monday's first day of school. 

The school system counted 40,355 students total—an overall increase of 890 students from last year's first-day count. The numbers are expected to rise as attendance is counted in coming days. 

Compared to last year, the school system saw its greatest gains in elementary schools, with 459 additional students being counted. Middle schools added 256 more students, and high schools gained 175 additional students. 

Superintendent Rick Smith said much of the growth was the result of added jobs from increasing business and industry in portions of the county. 

"We know that when we look at our data and elementary data, we're starting to see true growth," he said. 

The school system also plans to release five-day, 10-day and 20-day enrollment numbers.

At the end of last year's 20-day period, more than 42,000 students were enrolled in Hamilton County schools.