The Bluewater District School Board (BWDSB) is seeing an over 12 per cent increase in student enrolment over the last five years.
BWDSB Superintendent of Business Services and Treasurer Andrew Low says the increase is equivalent to about 2,120 students from 2019.
“We have seen a high level of enrolment increase and we do project them to continue, but may be not at such a rapid pace,” says Low.
He says this growth this unique to the region, as there was a large migration of people moving to Grey Bruce from more urban areas following the pandemic.
“We are also seeing new Canadians in our area as well. The aggressive development in some of our areas within our district, we are seeing a lot of homes being built and a lot of people moving this way,” says Low. “Larger urban boards like Toronto District School Board are seeing enrolment decreases, where the rural boards are seeing those increases.”
He adds Dundalk, the Town of the Blue Mountains, Saugeen Shores, and Meaford in particular have been seeing the most growth in the region.
Low says the new school being constructed in Dundalk, which is slated to open in 2027, will help alleviate the enrolment pressures the area is currently facing.
“In the interim, we have had to relocate Grades Seven and Eight from Highpoint Community School in Dundalk to Grey Highlands,” says Low.
This is part of the recently announced changes set to come into effect for the next school year.
“The enrolment capacity in the Dundalk area is unsustainable at its current rate. With the new school it’s a huge relief, but in the interim we do need to come up with some solutions,” says Low.