Photo by Mr. T in DC.

*At least until the figures are audited! The Office of the State Superintendent of Education reported today that enrollment in D.C. public schools and charter schools had grown for the third consecutive year, bringing the total number of students in the system to 78,200.

According to a press release, there are currently 46,631 students in D.C. public schools, an increase of 560 from 2010; enrollment in public charter schools grew more aggressively, adding 2,643 students for a total of 32,009. The largest increases came through Pre-K enrollment, which was made universal for all three- and four-year-olds through legislation introduced in 2008.

Enrollment in D.C. public schools was up for the first time last year, ending a 39-year streak of losses.

The increases were cheered by Mayor Vince Gray as a sign that confidence in D.C. schools has returned, and — by sheer coincidence, we’re sure — were prefaced by an op-ed published yesterday in the Post by D.C. Schools Chancellor Kaya Handerson. In it, she reflected on her first year on the job and made big promises for the future of the system:

We are on track to provide a world-class education to all students, regardless of background or circumstance, and to become a high-performing urban school district…Many worry that the reforms have slowed or stopped. I assure you, our revolution continues. It isn’t televised, nor has it been reported by newspapers, magazines or movies. The revolution is in the classroom.

While the counts are taken in October, a final audited report is expected in January 2012. The audit usually shows lower enrollment than originally reported, meaning that the growth in D.C. public schools could be slimmer than the 560 reported today. In fact, the Post’s Bill Turque reported over the weekend that a raw count of enrolled students in D.C. public schools showed a decrease of 419 students.