South Kitsap School District’s enrollment increased for the first time in several years.

District officials released preliminary numbers for September with a projected 9,097.8 FTE (full-time equivalent) students.

That would mark an increase of 264.7 students from September 2013. Superintendent Michelle Reid attributed some of that uptick to SKSD’s academic initiatives. During a Port Orchard Chamber of Commerce luncheon in May, Reid said 60 percent of high-school graduates “successfully enter post-secondary education,” which she said means being “career and college ready,” in Washington. She said SKSD’s average is 46 percent. For the Class of 2020, Reid wants to increase her district’s average to 80 percent.

That means making strategic changes within the district. According to research she has read, Reid said eighth-grade students who take Algebra are “twice as likely” to attend college as those who do not. Reid wants to increase the numbers of eighth-graders taking Algebra during the coming years.

In addition to that, the district added a number of Advanced Placement courses offered at South Kitsap High School, a Spanish immersion program at Burley-Glenwood Elementary and expanded all-day kindergarten.

While the district has not released the numbers of students who opted to attend other school districts, Reid said that number has decreased from last year.

In October, SKSD officials released a report that 692 students within the district’s boundaries attended school elsewhere. Reid believes the district’s increased academic options have contributed to that.

“We’re seeing more of our families sending their kids here,” she said. “We have amazing schools and we’re excited to have our families here with us.”

There are 361.03 FTE kindergartners in the district. Reid said there also has been growth at the three junior high schools — Cedar Heights, John Sedgwick and Marcus Whitman — where 2,163.6 FTE students are enrolled.

“I think the spike in our enrollment is attributed to our staff,” she said. “They have worked hard to provide a world-class education.”

There are provisions in SKSD’s contract with the South Kitsap Education Association to maintain class sizes at certain levels. Because of that, Reid said more teachers have been hired to fulfill those requirements. She did not have the number of new teachers hired at press time.

“We have a commitment to low-class sizes and a personalized education for each child,” she said. “We have continued to hire teachers since the start of school.”

Greene Gasaway Architects of Federal Way, which SKSD retains to project future attendance, expected the district to have 8,715 FTE in 2014-15. Enrollment typically decreases throughout the school year, but Tracy Patterson, assistant superintendent of business services, said the district projects 8,846.3 FTE in June.

“We’re thrilled,” Reid said. “It’s the first time in many years that we’re not experiencing a decline.”

• Sidney Glen is the largest elementary school in SKSD with 639 FTE students. Olalla (293) is the smallest. Marcus Whitman (766.6) is the largest junior high followed by Cedar Heights (699.4) and John Sedgwick (697.6). South Kitsap High School (1,945.23) has the most students enrolled in the district.