Study: Va. public school enrollment to grow

RICHMOND — The number of students in Virginia's public schools is expected to grow by 4 percent over the next five years, mostly in northern Virginia, and many other school divisions will see decreases in enrollment.

A University of Virginia study says a record 1.21 million students attended the state's public schools in 2009-10, and projections for the next five years show that about 50,000 more students will be enrolled in 2014-15. The elementary grades will see two-thirds of that increase.

Fairfax, Prince William and Loudoun counties will account for 85 percent of the growth, and enrollment losses will occur in 53 school divisions, mostly in Southside and southwest Virginia.

-- Associated Press