Hamilton County schools add 1,658 students in first five days

Fifth-day enrollment numbers for Hamilton County schools were released Friday, showing an additional 1,658 students since Monday's initial tally. 

The new group brings the school system's total student count to 42,013, which is more than 450 students higher than were counted at the same point last year. The current total of students in the school system is just shy of last year's final count of 42,236 students and comes before 10th-day and 20th-day enrollment is measured.

Across the county, the largest gains continue to be seen in elementary schools. The new numbers show an additional 249 elementary students compared to last year. In middle schools, 68 additional students were enrolled, and 137 new high school students were added. 

Hamilton County Superintendent Rick Smith said the current numbers would be reviewed by school officials in anticipation of 10th-day enrollment, which would drive decisions regarding the hiring of new teachers. 

"We'll look at the fifth day and look at where we got particular issues, such as teacher ratio space," Smith said. "Then we'll look at our 10th-day report next week. We'll use the fifth as a benchmark and the 10th as a decision maker."