The Center for Education Statistics (CES) projects that this fall (1988), nearly 100,000 more students will enroll in public elementary and secondary schools than last year. Public school enrollment in grades K-8 is expected to increase 1.6 percent from 28.0 million in 1987 to 28.4 million in 1988. In contrast, public school enrollment in grades 9-12 will register a decline of 3.1 percent (from 12.2 million to ll.8 million) over the same period. In the next 5 years (1988 through 1992), total fall enrollment in public elementary and secondary schools is projected to rise from 40.3 million in 1988 to 41.9 million in 1992, an increase of 4.0 percent. Public school enrollment in grades K-8 is expected to increase 6.1 percent, from 28.4 million in 1988 to 30.2 million in 1992. In contrast, public enrollment in grades 9-12 is projected to decrease from 11.8 million in 1988 to 11.4 million in 1990. This trend will reverse in 1991, and the figure will climb to 11.7 million in 1992. One table accompanies the text. Technical notes cover methodology, forecast accuracy, sources of data, and acknowledgments. (MLF)