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Student population increases by 10

Early numbers indicate slight rise in district enrolment
enrollment
GAINING NUMBERS: Early enrolment tallies for Brooks Secondary School, local elementary schools and School District 47 programs indicate a slight rise in the number of students studying in the Powell River area compared to last year. Peak archive photo

Preliminary enrolment numbers compiled by School District 47 secretary-treasurer Steve Hopkins show a total student headcount of 2,064 as of the first day of school in the Powell River area. The total is up slightly from 2,054 at the start of the 2016/2017 school year.

“It's premature based on the first week of school, but the elementary numbers are probably pretty good,” said Hopkins. “1,038 in elementary is 12 more than we had last September.”

Among district elementary schools, Edgehill’s student headcount is 205, Henderson’s is 85 and James Thomson’s is 277. Kelly Creek has 112 students, Texada has 27 and Westview has 332. Only Henderson and Westview are down nominally from last year.

“Enrolment had stabilized in 2015/2016 and was up last year by about 40 elementary students,” said Hopkins.

At Brooks Secondary School, Hopkins said the preliminary headcount is about 746 students; the school had 717 students in 2016/2017.

The district’s total student headcount also includes programs such as Partners in Education, Continuing Education and Alternate Education, but does not include international students.

According to Hopkins, the estimate is relatively close to where the district was last year.

“I would look at it as relatively stable,” he said. “It’s better to have 10 more than 10 less.”