The State : Baby Boom to Swell School Population

State budget experts predict that a new baby boom will help to bring public school enrollment this fall to 4.29 million students, an increase of 2.8% or 117,000 over last year. Over a decade, the number of elementary and secondary school students is expected to grow by 30% from 4.18 million to 5.43 million, the state Department of Finance said. The largest growth this fall is expected in elementary school classes, with a 3.6% increase or 103,000 additional youngsters. The number of elementary school pupils is expected to rise by 34% or 979,000 by 1995, bringing total enrollment to 3.86 million. In the secondary schools, 1.32 million students are expected to be enrolled this fall for a 1.1% increase. By 1995, the number of junior high and high school students is projected to reach 1.6 million or a 21% rise. “Secondary school enrollment is projected to decline between 1986 and 1989 as a result of the ‘baby bust’ between 1965 and 1974, then show significant growth through 1995,” the department said. The state agency said its projections came within 0.2% or 10,000 students of actual enrollments last year.