By Angela Brown

Living Sky School Division sees jump in enrolment

Sep 14, 2017 | 5:00 PM

Living Sky School Division is enjoying a sizable increase in enrolment overall in its latest numbers for the new school year.

The total enrolment came in at 5,674 based on the Sept. 8 report, 148 above the projected count of 5,526. The Sept. 2016 enrolment was 5,567.

North Battleford Comprehensive High School stood out in particular with a large increase of 182 new students this year, coming in at 1,222, above the projected count of 1,040. Last year, 1,133 students were enrolled, in the September report.

“We’re really thrilled a few extra students decided to join us,” said Superintendent of Learning Jim Shevchuk.”It’s always a pleasant surprise. It comes with a few challenges to make sure we have staff and resources in place, but we would even welcome another set of students if there were more to come.”  

Shevchuk said mainly the increase was seen in the number of Grade 8 and Grade 10 level enrolments.

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The division discussed hiring another Grade 8 teacher to meet the needs.

“I think we have a few new offerings at the school that really make it attractive for students to come to the Comprehensive high school,” Shevchuk said. “It’s a warm, welcoming place and we are really thrilled to have the increase in enrolment.”

He said the school will have about 40 or 50 more students in each of its Gr. 8 and Gr. 10 levels, with the remaining new students spread out amongst the other grades.  

Shevchuk said one of the more recent programs the school has been involved in is the emergency responders’ training course that has been popular. He added the school also has “rich offerings in the trades” and practical and applied arts that attracts many students. 

“And our new gym doesn’t hurt,” Shevchuk added.

The division will have more conclusive enrolment numbers later in the fall when numbers tend to stabilize.   

The division also discussed looking at ways to ensure more students are coming to class, and, graduating across the division. 

The division has been working to find ways to improve graduation rates for Indigenous students, in particular. 

Director of Education Brenda Vickers said the division wants to improve these numbers as part of its strategic plan objectives.

“Let’s close the gap,” said Vickers. “That’s a provincial goal also.”

She said the message is the same for all students to achieve success: “We want every student coming to school.”

She said if students miss one day a week of school, they may still have an 80 per cent attendance rate, but the lost time still affects their progress.

“I would like to see attendance at much higher than 80 per cent,” Vickers said. “Attendance is going to be a goal, and we are going to work hard to make our attendance rates better.” 

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW