Student enrolment in the Williams Lake area is forecast to continue declining over the next 10 years.
Updated enrolment figures were presented to the School District 27 board by Secretary-treasuer Bonnie Roller during a special public meeting Tuesday, Jan. 15 on the topic of the board’s Initial Options Report.
The report proposes closing and consolidating Glendale, Wildwood and Kwaleen elementary schools in the Williams Lake area and reshaping Williams Lake and Columneetza secondary schools into one grades 7 to 12 secondary school operated on two campuses.
Changes are proposed to meet dwindling Ministry of Education operational funding which is based primarily on student enrolment figures.
Roller’s report includes enrolment projections for Glendale, Kwaleen, Marie Sharpe, Mountview, Nesika, 150 Mile, Cataline, Chilcotin Road, and Wildwood elementary schools forecast over an 11 year period starting in 2012 and ending in 2022.
The report indicates the actual grand total of student enrolment at the above schools was 1,522 students in 2012 and 1,535 students in 2013. Enrolment is currently projected to drop to 1,430 students by 2022.
Initial enrolment projections made in 2011 for the above schools was for a grand total of 1,491 students in 2012 and 1,506 students in 2013; dropping to 1,441 students in 2022.
• 150 Mile House elementary had 245 students in 2012 and currently has 242 students. Enrolment is projected to fall to 213 students by 2022.
Projected enrolment in 2011 was for 217 students in 2012 and 203 students in 2013; falling to 143 students by 2022.
• Cataline Elementary had 273 students in 2012 and currently has 282 students. Enrolment is currently projected to fall to 246 students by 2022.
In 2011 Cataline projected enrolment was for 274 students in 2012 and 293 students in 2013; falling to 269 in 2022.
• Chilcotin Road Elementary had 181 students in 2012 and currently has 185 students. Enrolment is predicted to drop to 225 students by 2022.
Chilcotin Road projected enrolment in 2011 was for 169 students in 2012 and 168 students in 2013; dropping to 157 by 2022.
• Glendale Elementary had a grand total of 124 students in 2012 and currently has 120 students with enrolment projected to drop to 105 students by 2022.
In 2011 the total projected enrolment for Glendale was for 120 students in 2012 and 113 students in 2013, dropping to 105 students by 2022.
The Glendale regular program had 48 students in 2012 and currently has 45 students; with enrolment projected to drop to 34 students by 2022.
In 2011 the projected enrolment for the Glendale regular program was for 49 students in 2012 and 44 students in 2013; dropping to 106 by 2022.
Glendale French Immersion had 76 students in 2012 and currently has 75 students. Enrolment in the French Immersion program is projected to drop to 71 students by 2022.
In 2011 Glendale French Immersion enrolment was projected to be for 71 students in 2012 and 69 students in 2013; dropping to 79 students by 2022.
• Kwaleen Elementary had 94 students in 2012 and currently has 87 students. Kwaleen enrolment is projected to drop to 76 students by 2022.
In 2011 projected enrolment at Kwaleen was for 103 in 2012 and 98 students in 2013; dropping to 92 students in 2022.
• Marie Sharpe Elementary had 149 students in 2012 and currently has 142 students. Marie Sharpe enrolment is projected to drop to 120 students by 2022.
In 2011 projected enrolment at Marie Sharpe was for 139 students in 2012 and 136 in 2013; rising to 148 students by 2022.
• Mountview Elementary had 189 students in 2012 and currently has 185 students. Enrolment at Mountview is projected to rise to 219 students by 2022.
In 2011 projected enrolment at Mountview was for 213 students in 2012 and 222 students in 2013; rising to 287 students by 2022.
• Nesika Elementary had 242 students in 2012 and currently has 261 students. Enrolment at Nesika is projected to drop to 192 students by 2022.
In 2011 enrolment projected for Nesika was for 238 students in 2012 and 254 students in 2013; dropping to 220 students by 2022.
• Wildwood Elementary (Kindergarten to Grade 3) had 25 students in 2012 and currently has 31 students. Enrolment at Wildwood (K-3) is projected to rise to 34 students by 2022.
In 2011 projected enrolment at Wildwood (Kindergarten to Grade 3) was for 18 students in 2012 and 19 students in 2013; dropping to 19 students by 2022.