Private school enrollment climbing in Oklahoma City area

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Private school enrollment is growing in Oklahoma City's suburbs but declining inside the city's school district. <br><br>Census figures show Norman's student population

Sunday, August 25th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Private school enrollment is growing in Oklahoma City's suburbs but declining inside the city's school district.

Census figures show Norman's student population has increased 28% over what it was in 1990. The district now has almost 1,000 students in private schools, up from 300 in 1990.

In the Edmond School District, the number of private school students rose from 900 to more than 2,000 between 1990 and 2000. During that time Edmond's student population grew by only 43%.

Oklahoma City, during the same time period, gained about 40 private school students. But enrollment in the city's school district climbed by 8,000 students.

Educators say the increase in private school enrollment in suburbs is because many suburban residents have higher incomes.