LAGRANGE, Ga.— According to figures released today, this fall’s freshmen class at LaGrange College will go on record as one of the school’s largest entering classes—and as one of its most academically prepared.

The official final count shows 229 first-year students enrolled on campus, a tie for the second-largest class ever. The highest mark was set in 2006 with 270 students, an unusually large class because of the start of a football program that fall.

Total enrollment at the college this year is up to 1,027 students.

“We’re especially pleased that growing numbers of students are choosing LaGrange College as the place to earn their bachelor’s degrees,” said President Dan McAlexander.

“Since my arrival here in July, I continue to hear amazing stories of how students have been transformed by their years on the Hill. We believe in preparing young people for both success in a career and success in life, so it is gratifying when others realize the value of the educational experience we offer.”

In addition to arriving in large numbers, members of the freshman class posted some of the institution’s highest academic scores, continuing a trend at the college.

First-year students earned an academic-subject high school GPA of 3.37, and they scored an average of 1,044 on the critical reading and math portions of the SAT (or an average of 23 on the ACT).

Also, more than half of the group graduated in the top 25 percent of their class, according to the college’s Vice President for Enrollment Dana Paul.

“The academic profile of this class reflects a trend of rising GPAs and SAT scores among our entering students,” he said. “It’s something we’re focused on, and we’re pleased to see it continue.

“Clearly, these students had options when it came time to make their college choice, and they chose to enroll here at LaGrange.

“U.S. News labels us a best value, and some of the region’s brightest students are realizing that is truly the case.”