Enrollment at Niles Community Schools is at its highest point in five years based on a preliminary fall student count released by the district.

Niles counted 3,954 students during count day last week. That figure is 67 students above last year’s fall count of 3,887.

To find another enrollment count that high, you have to go back to the fall of 2007 when the count was also 3,954.

“We are pleased and excited by our enrollment numbers,” said Supt. Richard Weigel. “We have a great desire to serve our public and provide our students, and their parents, with the very best educational opportunities so all of our students are college or career ready.”

For some perspective, the district had just 3,766 students counted in the fall of 2010. So, in three years, enrollment has increased by close to 200 students.

“We have increased in student enrollment for the past three years. I attribute that to a talented and professional staff who puts the needs of effectively educating all our students as their top priority. We do not accept low levels of achievement and we are willing to go the extra mile with our top performing students as well as our students who have farther to go to reach their full potential.”

When compared to the fall count of 2012, enrollment increased at Northside, Eastside Connections, Ellis, Ring Lardner, Cedar Lane, Southside and New Tech Entrepreneurial Academy. Niles saw enrollment drop at Ballard, Howard, adult education and the high school.

Enrollment in non-traditional education at Niles — including the WAY program — increased by 39 students.

Attendance figures taken during the statewide fall count day account for 90 percent of a district’s per-pupil funding from the state. Ten percent of funding is based on last February’s count.