600 new students arrive at Pasco, Richland schools

More than 600 new students showed up for classes in Pasco and Richland this week.

It’s part of a growing trend in Tri-City schools.

Pasco and Richland school officials provided preliminary figures on Friday, detailing their first week’s enrollment. Kennewick school enrollment numbers were not released.

After three days, Pasco officials reported 17,453 students attended classes, with more expected in the coming weeks.

The growth is part of a decade-long trend in Pasco, which added nearly 5,000 new students in 10 years.

The bulk of this year’s growth was at Chiawana and Pasco high schools, said Shane Edinger, the district’s director of public affairs.

Pasco High added 100 new students and Chiawana increased by nearly 200.

“The middle school growth numbers are much smaller, about 20 to 30 students at each school,” he said. “The elementary schools that saw growth are similar to the middle schools.”

Traditionally, Pasco’s class enrollment continues to grow through Oct. 1, when final numbers are reported to the state, said Edinger.

Richland schools reported 13,726 students on the first day — an increase of 298 students from the first day last year.

While the district continues to add students, the newest building, Leona Libby Middle School, eased class crowding concerns at the middle schools. The $35 million, 108,000-square-foot building opened its doors Tuesday to 688 new students.

The move took pressure off Enterprise Middle School, which started last year with 1,177 students. Both schools serve the growing West Richland area, said Steve Aagaard, the district’s communications director.

Enterprise started this week with 693 students.

At the high schools, 2,207 students arrived for classes at Hanford High this week. That was 120 more students than at Richland High School.

“They’ve just been steadily growing,” Aagaard said.

Hanford High’s enrollment in 2013 was 1,649. The district recently added 12 classroom modular buildings at both of the high schools to deal with the growth.

Last year, the district bought 70 acres of land near Libby Middle School, which could be used for a third high school in the future.

The Kennewick School Board agenda for Sept. 6 shows an enrollment report is planned.

This story was originally published September 1, 2017 at 7:57 PM with the headline "600 new students arrive at Pasco, Richland schools."