ST. SIMONS ISLAND -- The Effingham County school system is growing even faster than the 12,000 students it serves.

The system boasts 365 more students on the 15th day of the current school year than it had in the 15th day in 2016-17.

"I would say our average elementary school has about 700 students so, if you think about it, that means you are adding a new elementary school every couple of years," Superintendent Randy Shearouse said. "Certainly, that's big growth. I don't think that's going to stop based on what we're seeing."

Shearouse, speaking at the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce's 2017 Community Leadership Retreat at The King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort on Friday, said Marlow Elementary currently has nearly 900 students. Ebenezer Middle and South Effingham County High have also gained a substantial number of students during the past year.

"We're seeing growth scattered throughout the county, which I think is a good thing," Shearouse said.

See the Aug. 30 edition of The Effingham Herald for more details.