More students have enrolled in Detroit Public Schools than officials expected, thanks in part to a program aimed at keeping kids or persuading their parents to return them to the district.

Officials say DPS began Monday with a student enrollment of 85,851 students. But only 83,812 can be reported to the state because some students have not consistently attended a full day of classes.

Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb, district employees and auditors on Monday went door-to-door near King High School on the city's east side to find out why the students are not in school full-time.

Enrollment numbers reported to the state determine how much the district receives in funding. Detroit schools faces a $259 million budget deficit.

The district budgeted for 83,777 students this fall.