Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette Houghton-Portage township schools Superintendent Doreen Klingbeil gives an update on student enrollment at August’s Board meeting Monday. The district is at 1,412 students versus 1,423 at the same time last year

HOUGHTON — With the school year almost underway, Houghton-Portage Township School is projecting a slight decrease in enrollment.

The district has 1,412 students, compared to 1,423 at the time of last year’s August meeting, said Superintendent Doreen Klingbeil.

Houghton Elementary was at 638 compared to 653 last year. Houghton Middle School has also seen a decline, falling from 342 to 327.

Houghton High School posted the sole increase in students, going from 428 to 447.

“Of course, we have two weeks left to go,” Klingbeil said.

Klingbeil said the number of new school of choice students is below the school’s average — at 52, versus around 60 in a typical year. Over the past couple years, the number has topped 80, Klingbeil said.