French immersion grows
Despite dropping student enrolment around School District 47, Powell River’s French Immersion program is growing.
Canadian Parents for French’s BC and Yukon chapter released its annual report about French immersion enrolment for the 2013/14 school year around the province and noted the program’s popularity in Powell River.
“We believe French programs are popular in Powell River because they are widely recognized by parents as providing young students with the tools and experiences that will enrich their lives and help them prepare for the future,” said Patti Holm, president of the parent organization.
French immersion in Powell River began four years ago at James Thomson Elementary School with 19 students. Last year the school had 84 students enrolled in the program. That represents about four per cent of all students in the district, the report stated.
Over the past six years, School District 47 has had a 12.6 per cent decline in enrolment, losing 303 students.
Over 49,000 students take French immersion in the province, almost nine per cent of BC public school enrolment.
The booming popularity of this well-established program is putting pressure on many local school boards to accommodate the growing demand from families, said Holm. In the Lower Mainland many school districts run waiting lists for places in programs.
Another finding of the report was, around the province, most French immersion students leave the program between grades seven and eight.
