During the first week of school at Lehi High, there were rumors that the school had grown by 1,000 students. Actually, it was about half that, but the Alpine School District is hoping for more.

The district is building a new high school in Saratoga Springs, which will be ready for students in fall 2009. Until then, the high school serving the Lehi, Saratoga Springs and Cedar Valley area will continue to grow.

"We hope by the time it splits it's at 2,400 because by that time you could have all programs at both schools -- AP, at-risk, foreign language," said Jerrilyn Mortensen, Alpine School District spokeswoman.

Lehi Principal Chuck Bearce said the school will have no problem meeting the district's goal. With 2,234 students, it only needs 166 more.

"I think we will grow by another 250 next year, no problem," Bearce said. "The 2,234 is official as of Monday, but it fluctuates every day."

Meanwhile, the school administration has been able to stay ahead of the pace.

Bearce hired 22 teachers, a mix of new and experienced, to accommodate the growth. Students also have textbooks.

"We planned ahead," Bearce said. "We bought textbooks. I don't know if any are back ordered, but we have those in place and if they aren't here, should be here soon."

Four more classrooms and a science lab also were created by bringing in two more portable trailers and renovating another.

The 90-plus teachers at the school are adapting. Becky White, marketing and business teacher, has had to add another marketing class to meet demand.

She has mapped out her strategy for the next two school years until the Saratoga Springs high school opens.

"My philosophy is it just is what it is and we're just going to make the best of it and use it to our advantage," she said.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page B1.