BREWER – Brewer schools opened to a smooth start Wednesday, with 1,838 students in the K-12 public school system. The numbers, thus far, are almost equal to last year’s Oct. 1, 2002, enrollment of 1,839.

“Our student numbers are stable,” said School Superintendent Betsy Webb.

Teachers and support staff number about 267 in the city school system, about the same as last year.

Principals in the system’s six schools reported their students returning on a high note. “The students are anxious to be back and excited to be seeing friends,” Webb said. Staff also “seem positive about being here,” the superintendent added.

The city school system consists of the Capri Street School, which houses a pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programs; the Pendleton Street School, which houses grades one and two; Washington Street School, housing all third grades with three classrooms for grade four; the State Street School, with two classrooms of grade 4 and all of grade 5. The Brewer Middle School on Somerset Street houses grades six, seven, and eight and Brewer High School on Parkway South houses grades nine through 12. The ACT program, the systems alternative high school, is located on the Pierce Road and serves about 22 students annually.

Four major goals have been adopted for the new academic year, according to Webb. They are: improving students’ mathematics skills K-12, improving literacy, implementing technology and raising student aspirations.

The rate of Brewer High School graduates going on to college is “in the high 70s”, Webb said. While the rate is in keeping with the state average, the message needs to be stronger about the need for higher education, Webb said.

“What we know in today’s world is [that students] need further learning after high school, and we want to make sure they have that message, and set themselves up for success,” Webb said.