D.C. Public Schools confirmed yesterday that student enrollment in its 127 schools was at 44,397, up from the roughly 37,000 who were registered when classes resumed on August 24. Enrollment counts typically fluctuate at the start of the year, as parents enroll children late, and transfers are finalized.

The high turnout is being credited in part to the District’s “Rediscover DCPS” ad campaign, as a number of the schools featured in the campaign significantly surpassed their projected enrollments, as well as the decision to bump the enrollment start date up, from July to April. An official count will be conducted in October.

Bill Turque points out in the Post that the gains put DCPS in close reach of the 44,681 figure that was used as a benchmark in the 2010 schools budget. Earlier this summer, the D.C. Council objected to Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee’s initial projection of 45,000 students, believing it to be unrealistic in light of the growing popularity of charter schools and DCPS’s history of significant annual enrollment drops. The council stripped $27 million from the schools budget in protest before compromising on the 44,681 figure and reinstating the funds.