. >> reporter: doctor kevin max well, this says this is a way h out to students before they give up. coming to the school is optional. >> the graduation rate went up but it dropped 8% a year ago for our international students. we have to try some new things. >> reporter: in classrooms around the county, enrollment is up. more teachers are on the job. nearly 870 new hires. teachers say being here is what matters despite a sale budget fight to pay competitive salaries. >> it's not about the money for us. it's about the joy of the instruction, of when a child gets the moment. >> reporter: and so is this student to just wants to finish high school. >> this is good for me to learn new language, because here it's a lot of -- >> reporter: and also on the wish list, putting a literacy coach in every high school and expanding prek in low income areas. they've had to scale back the plans because of budget constraints. they are expected to show up at area schools today to welcome the students back for a good first year. back to you. >> sounds exciting. summer is also over today for students in