MOOSE JAW — New data show that student enrolment this year in Holy Trinity Catholic School Division is at its highest level in 12 years, although the numbers are slightly below what the division projected.
As of the end of September, the division’s enrolment was 2,467 students, which is 16 students — or 0.64 per cent — below projections of 2,483, but 23 students — or 0.94 per cent — above the Sept. 30, 2023, number of 2,444, according to a report presented during the recent board meeting.
Enrolment data stretching back to 2012 show:
- 2024: 2,467
- 2023: 2,444
- 2022: 2,345
- 2021: 2,274
- 2020: 2,301
- 2019: 2,399
- 2018: 2,321
- 2017: 2,248
- 2016: 2,186
- 2015: 2,133 (lowest year)
- 2014: 2,199
- 2013: 2,189
- 2012: 2,252
Christ the King in Shaunavon is seven students (eight per cent) more than projected, Phoenix Academy is 13 youths (24.1 per cent) more than expected and École St. Margaret School is 16 students (eight per cent) more than projected, the report said.
Meanwhile, home-based students dropped by three or 8.8 per cent, distance learning students declined from five to two or 60 per cent, Vanier Collegiate dropped by 21 youths or 4.7 per cent and St. Michael School fell by 12 students or 3.6 per cent.
The board report noted that the Ministry of Education typically adjusts operating grants in December based on the Sept. 30 enrolment.
CFO Curt Van Parys told the board that this year’s enrolment number is the highest since 2012, which is good news since it shows that the division is seeing “solid growth.” He noted that enrolment figures before 2012 could be higher, but he was unable to find that information to confirm or deny.
Meanwhile, he said there were some financial complications comparing enrolment this year with last year.
In 2023-24, enrolment included 18 unfunded pre-kindergarten spots in Swift Current, which meant the province provided funding for 2,426 students instead of 2,444 pupils.
However, because there are 41 more students overall this year than last year, and because the projections included those 18 unfunded pre-k positions, the end result is Holy Trinity should receive more net funding from the province.
“I don’t recall this ever happening in my career,” said Van Parys. “But with 2,467 (students), we are right where we should be … from a financial perspective.”
Ward Strueby, director of education, also thought it was “crazy” how the division nearly hit its projections “on the nose” even with unfunded pre-k spots. Meanwhile, he noted that Holy Trinity’s kindergarten program is booming compared to other school divisions, which are seeing declines.
The division had 185 kindergarten students at the end of September, compared to 168 such youths by Sept. 30, 2023 — a jump of 17.
Strueby added that more students are entering the division’s French immersion program, which is also exciting news.
Sarah Phipps, superintendent of learning, said Holy Trinity does not have waiting lists for its pre-kindergarten spots since most such classes are not full in September. However, they usually fill up through the year as more families come to Moose Jaw.
November is usually the first month when the division sees an increase in students because that is when employers bring in immigrants as employees, with those people also bringing their families, she continued. Furthermore, many Saskatchewan Polytechnic programs usually start in January, so the division will likely see an influx of pre-k applications in November and December since some college students have families.
The next Holy Trinity board meeting is Monday, Nov. 18.
