The Lawrence school district gained 169 students compared to last year, according to figures released Thursday afternoon.

The boost – like the last few years – is driven by more students using the Lawrence Virtual School, as all secondary schools had fewer students than 2006, except for Southwest Junior High.

Today is the day for the state’s official enrollment head count at all public schools. The enrollment is key in determining school funding.

Of the elementary schools, nine of 15 did show growth, including 58 more students from last year at Langston Hughes School and 33 more students at Prairie Park School.