Despite a recent increase in student enrollment, the local public school board is reporting an ongoing downward trend.
The Lambton Kent District School Board said for the 2021-2022 school year, elementary enrollment has increased by 319 students over the previous year. In secondary schools, enrollment has increased by 234 students compared to last year. Total enrollment for the school year is currently 21,572 students.
The school board said the increase is attributed to students returning from the homeschooling program, students participating in the remote learning program, and continued migration to the area.
“We are pleased to see the positive trend in migration into the LKDSB’s catchment area and the benefits for enrollment and funding to support learning and resources in schools,” said school board Chair Randy Campbell in a news release.
Despite the increase, the school board said enrollment remains on a downward trend, with a 7.08 per cent decline in the overall student population compared to a decade earlier.
The board said enrollment is projected to continue to decline by another 308 students by 2032.
“We understand that we must make responsible decisions based on historical and current enrollment projections to ensure that we are maximizing student programming and funding allocations to best support student achievement and well-being,” said Campbell.
The school board is currently estimating that elementary schools will be at 76 per cent capacity in September 2022, while capacity for secondary schools will be at 66 per cent.