FORSYTH COUNTY — The Forsyth County school system could reach an enrollment of 50,000 students in about four years. 

During a board of education work session Thursday, district leaders reviewed student population numbers from this week and projections for the next several years.

Based on the current growth rate, the system likely will hit the 50,000 mark by 2018.

The 2014-15 year is off to a fast start with enrollment at 42,259 students, according to the presentation. That’s up by 1,423 students from the close of the 2013-14 academic year.

The system has added more than 5,300 new students this year. The difference in the numbers comes from subtracting last year’s graduates, students who moved away or who have been “no-shows” so far this month.

As of Thursday, there were also nearly 50 appointments for more students to be registered.

Of those students who are new to the system, according to the report, 110 entered the system after being home schooled, 2,642 have never before attended school and 890 have entered from another state or country. Another 1,290 entered from another Georgia school district and 11 are re-entering after withdrawing.

Of individual school enrollments, Daves Creek Elementary has the largest number of new students, at 328, followed by Kelly Mill and Shiloh Point elementary schools, both with 269.

Of the county’s middle schools, Riverwatch has the highest number of new students, with 119. For high schools, Lambert has the most, at 132.