Rocky View Schools (RVS) enrolment numbers are in for the 2015/16 school year. Total RVS enrolments increased by 974 students from last year, for a total of 21,567 students. The biggest gains were seen in Cochrane (up 11.
Rocky View Schools (RVS) enrolment numbers are in for the 2015/16 school year.
Total RVS enrolments increased by 974 students from last year, for a total of 21,567 students. The biggest gains were seen in Cochrane (up 11.5 per cent), Crossfield (up 7.7 per cent) and Airdrie (up 6.9 per cent).
“I remember last year when we were in the midst of the discussion about the (Provincial) budget, and we were talking about not funding enrolment growth,” Trustee Todd Brand said. “Obviously, it's a very good thing that with the (new) budget we were funded.”
In a statement released April 20, RVS projected an influx of 1,000 additional students for the 2015/16 school year. Forty-four additional teachers were required to meet the growth, the statement said.
In a reversal of a previous Progressive Conservative mandate, the newly-elected NDP government announced May 28 enrolment funding would be restored in Alberta Education.
“(This) is the first time that I'm looking at an enrolment sheet with not as much concern as I have looked at it in past years,” Trustee Sylvia Eggerer said.
Bragg Creek saw an increase of 49 students and Chestermere saw an increase of 207 while Beiseker saw a decrease of 16 students.
Results from the RVS 2011-14 Four Year Plan are now available, indicating trends that show how students, parents and educators rank their experiences in the division.
The report, which involved various surveys focused on school satisfaction, tracks trends dating back to 2010. For example, students in RVS were asked whether they felt welcome at school in 2010 (89 per cent agreed) and in 2014 (91 per cent agreed).
“I'm really happy with the results,” Trustee Bev LaPeare said. “One of the interesting things (is) when you're already at the top, it's difficult to show improvement.
“We're still significantly better than the province, so that's something to be proud of.”
Full results from the report are available at rockyview.ab.ca
Improvements are on the way to upgrade the fence and playing field of Sarah Thompson School in Langdon, subject to approval from Rocky View County.
“This is a huge relief for me. This community has been waiting for us to get (on this),” LaPeare said. “I'm glad that we're finally going to be able to get this done.”
