Enrolment Increase at Catholic Board

Enrolment Increase at Catholic Board
Posted on 10/11/2016
OCTOBER 11, 2016 - BARRIE, ON: For the first time in several years, enrolment has increased in both the elementary and secondary levels at the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board (SMCDSB). Last fall, the total number of students attending the 42 elementary schools in the board was 13,691, while there were 6,758 students enrolled in the nine secondary schools. Data just released to the Board of Trustees shows an increase in enrolment of 229 students in the elementary panel to 13,920 and 55 in the secondary panel to 6,813. This means that enrolment is up by 284 students at the board, bringing the total student population to 20,733. This increase in enrolment has resulted in 20 new teaching positions.

Although there are some areas within the SMCDSB experiencing declining or relatively flat enrolment, there are also areas experiencing tremendous growth. The list below highlights some schools who have experienced growth compared to last year at this time:

- St. Noel Chabanel Catholic School in Wasaga Beach has increased by 15 students
- Notre Dame Catholic School in Orillia has increased by 12 students
- Father F.X. O'Reilly Catholic School in Tottenham has increased by 45 students
- Our Lady of Grace Catholic School in Angus has increased by 69 students 
- St. Marie of the Incarnation Catholic School in Bradford West Gwillimbury has increased by 81 students
- St. Angela Merici Catholic School in Bradford West Gwillimbury has increased by 42 students
- The Good Shepherd Catholic School in Barrie has increased by 18 students
- St. Peter's Catholic Secondary School in Barrie has increased by 55 students
- St. Dominic Catholic Secondary School in Bracebridge has increased by 25 students

These increases can be attributed to a range of situations including new housing development, shifting demographics, new and specialized programming as well as new employment/training opportunities at Base Borden.