It's likely due to fifth and sixth years enroling in grind school.
Enroling in a grind school for fifth and sixth year, is likely driving the increase in the number of students attending private schools.
It has now surpassed a Celtic Tiger high, and has increased by 6% in the space of five years.
Figures released to the Irish Times by the Department of Education show 27,200 pupils were enrolled in private secondary schools last year.
The figure has surpassed the last peak in 2008, when over 26,500 students were enrolled.
Guidance counsellor, and Mullingar's Betty McLoughlin believes it's driven by the popularity of grind schools:
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