The number of students being served in the Escambia County School system is up and down, keeping administrators on their toes during the first weeks of school.

Escambia County School Superintendent Billy Hines said the number of students attending classes at area schools for the 2010-11 school year continues to fluctuate as students move in and out of the system.

Overall, Hines said the county school system is serving approximately the same number of students as were served during the 2009-10 school year.

“We have reports that show the entire system is serving 4,606 students this week,” Hines said. “That’s up in some places and down in others. Basically, I think things will certainly balance out to keep us at about where we were last year.”

County schools include those in East Brewton, Flomaton, Atmore and Huxford. Atmore area schools, which include A.C. Moore and Rachel Patterson Elementary schools, Escambia County Middle and High schools and Huxford Elementary, are showing 1,788 students, Hines said.

“The reports we received from the schools this week are showing a decline in the number of students in some areas with increases in others,” Hines said. “In Atmore, we are seeing about 90 less students on campus than we had last year. That includes A.C. Moore, Rachel Patterson, Escambia County Middle and Escambia County High schools.”

Hines said Huxford Elementary School has seen some increase over last year’s reported figures.

“Huxford Elementary seems to be seeing an increase in the number of students there this year,” Hines said. “The latest report we have is showing there has been a little increase in the student count so far this year.”

In the eastern end of the county, Hines said W.S. Neal schools are reporting numbers similar to last year’s count.

“We have seen a little increase at W.S. Neal Middle School so far this year,” Hines said. “They are up by about 33 students. They reported 464 this week.”

Hines said W.S. Neal Elementary and W.S. Neal High schools are basically unchanged compared to last year’s count.

“W.S. Neal Elementary is right where they were last year,” Hines said. “They had a student count of 573 this week. That’s what their student count was last year. At W.S. Neal High School, they are showing a decrease by only about 10 students, with 441 reported this week.”

Hines said the number of students served at each of the county schools will likely continue to increase through Labor Day.

“The first few weeks of school always show numbers increase and decreasing by a few students here and there,” Hines said. “That’s pretty typical until Labor Day. The number of students on campus has been increasing a little over the past week and will probably continue that way until the Labor Day holiday passes.”

Flomaton Elementary, Middle and High schools and Pollard-McCall Junior High School are showing some changes in enrollment with Flomaton High School showing a sizeable increase in student enrollment, Hines said.

Pollard-McCall has seen a decrease of about 16 students so far this year.

“There is no way to get an accurate count until everyone shows up for school,” Hines said. “Although we’d like to see every student be in class on the first day of school, that just doesn’t happen. A few years ago, the State Department of Education changed the way we report student numbers because of that. We now conduct our official student count beginning the first class day following Labor Day. The number of students reported in the 20 days following Labor Day is considered our official school count for the year.”

Hines said the official student-counting period is vital to funding for the following school year.