More students are enrolled in the Tippecanoe School Corporation than administrators initially expected.
They estimated an increase of about 30, but the state reports Average Daily Membership, or ADM, is up 316 students this year compared to last.
Superintendent Scott Hanback says part of the spike is due to TSC now offering tuition free, full day Kindergarten.
But, those students are only counted as half in the ADM formula.
Hanback says the other main factor is an overall growing community.
“I think a lot of it has to do with the economy. Maybe it's a sign of things getting better, people are moving more," he said. "It was several hundred students more than we expected.”
The enrollment increase is the second highest in the district over the past ten years.
"Twenty-five to 40 kids has been our three year average," said Hanback. "In the late '90's into the 2000's, was the main era of just explosive student enrollment growth. I think we may be back on that track."
Hanback says that has forced TSC to increase teachers, but also has provided the corporation with more state funding support.
West Lafayette’s ADM is up 45 students.