PSS: 9,800 students and counting

With two more days left before public elementary schools on Saipan open this Monday, Sept. 14, more than 9,800 students are already enrolled both in high school and elementary.

After interviewing various elementary school principals on Saipan, Saipan Tribune counted a total of 3,758 elementary students as of yesterday. However, registration is still ongoing and the numbers are expected to grow.

As of Sept. 8, middle schools and high schools on Saipan had a total of 5,072 students. This population count is also expected to grow.

Tinian’s elementary and junior, senior high schools have recorded a total of 607 students, while Rota’s elementary and junior, senior high schools have a total of 433 students, according to PSS.

Elementary schools
According to principal Leila Yumul, Garapan Elementary School has about 800 students as of yesterday.

Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School principal Raena Bermudes said they have a total of 316 students. Kagman Elementary School has 355 students so far, according to principal Dr. Ignacia Demapan. Koblerville Elementary School principal Rizalina Liwag said they have 608 students.

Interim Oleai Elementary School principal Jasylene Parico said they have 459 students. San Vicente Elementary School principal Paulette Sablan said they have 620, but numbers are growing, while William S. Reyes Elementary School principal Naomi Nishimura said they have more than 600 students.

All principals confirmed that these aren’t actual numbers.

Nishimura said they expect as much as 700 students going to WSR by Monday, Sept. 14. Sablan also expects the number of students at her school to increase.

As of Aug. 25, Tinian Elementary School had a total of 315, while Rota’s Sinapalo Elementary School counted 209 students. Overall PSS has more than 4,280 elementary students so far.

Middle, high schools by the numbers
Marianas High School has the largest number of students as of Sept. 8, with 1,530; about 435 of these are freshmen.

Kagman High School reported a total of 640 students, with a little over 200 freshmen. Saipan Southern High School reported a total of 933 students; about 270 are freshmen.

Hopwood Junior High School has the highest number of students among middle schools as of Sept. 8, with 895 enrolled. Dandan Middle School has 352 students so far. San Antonio Middle School had a total of 293, while Chacha Oceanview, said they have a total of 260. Tanapag has the lowest population with only 169 students.

Tinian Junior Senior High School has a total of 292 students, while Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Junior Senior High has a total of 224, according to PSS. Overall PSS has more than 5,580 junior high and high school students so far.

Middle and high schools on Saipan are on their first week, while elementary schools will be starting this Monday, Sept. 14. The CNMI Head Start program will start on Sept. 21.

Enough teachers for now
Saipan Tribune counted a total of 203 teachers as of yesterday for elementary schools on Saipan alone. These include regular classroom teachers, special education, and/or teaching assistants.

All elementary school principals confirmed that they have enough teachers. Garapan has 48; GTC, 16; KagES, 19; KobES, 24; Oleai, 32 (including teacher assistants); San Vicente, 37 (includes teacher assistants); and WSR, 27.

For middle and high schools: MHS has 45; KHS, 31; SSHS, 32; Hopwood, 43; Chacha Oceanview, 14; San Antonio, 12; Tanapag, more than 10; and Dandan, 20.