By 2525 the population is expected to grow to 49 million people. In 1999-00, approximately 5,951,612 students were enrolled in California's schools. Students attend approximately 8,300 schools in 1,000 school districts and are instructed by 284,030 credentialed staff. California educates about 12 percent of all students in the U.S., kindergarten through grade twelve. Supporting California's expansive, complex educational system requires the largest single item in the state's annual budget.
Diversity is more marked in California schools.
Based on 1999-00 enrollment, Hispanic students comprise 42.2 of the school population. White students make up 36.9 percent, Asian and Pacific Islander 11, African American 8.6, and American Indian .9. According to California's Department of Finance, public school enrollments will continue to diversify. These trends reflect population changes throughout the state where, by the turn of the century, no ethnic group will constitute a majority of California's population. Back to the Top School Performance When poverty is viewed as an indicator of potential academic risk, significant numbers of California's students are in need of special assistance.