More Schools of Choice students are enrolled at Niles Community Schools than ever before.

Based on the 2012 spring count, Niles has 271 school of choice students, up from a previous high of 264 recorded in the fall of 2011.

“This is all good,” said Supt. Richard Weigel, “but, as I’ve said before, our goal is not necessarily to attract Schools of Choice — we’re not turning them away — but our goal is to educate all of our students who live in Niles and educate them well.”

Overall, Niles’ enrollment numbers stayed level from the fall of 2011 (3,870.24) to the spring of 2012 (3,870.11).

“The good news is really for one of the first times ever we did not go down in enrollment between the fall and the spring, and that’s very exciting,” Weigel said.

In comparison, Niles lost 23 students from the fall of 2010 to the spring of 2011 and lost 65 students from the fall of 2009 to the spring of 2010.

“To not lose those students is a nice piece,” Weigel said.

The majority of the increase from the fall of 2011 to the spring of 2012 came from the W-A-Y Niles, Northside, Howard Elementary and Cedar Lane.

Enrollment in W-A-Y increased 25 students, while Northside saw an increase of 13 students, Howard nine students and Cedar Lane 12.

Niles Senior High had the largest decrease at 48 students. Ring Lardner saw 10 students leave from the fall to the spring.