Enrollment jump in GPPSD

Enrollments have gone up in the Grande Prairie Public School District this year.
 
Superintendent Sandy McDonald says the increase came in at two percent, about what they were expecting.
 
He adds growth in the community is the main reason for the increase.
 
“We did not open any new schools this year. We’re stable in terms of construction, but we’re seeing some of our schools start to get filled up again. A lot of people have moved into Grande Prairie. We had a bunch of families move to Grande Prairie this year.”
 
He adds there is room for the new students.
 
“We have space for everybody. Every student has a desk. We’ve got classrooms for everybody, but we are growing and we will be asking the province for some support again in our upcoming Capital Plan and looking for additional support down the road before we get over-full.” 
 
McDonald says Charles Spencer High School, which opened in 2014, is full.
 
“The addition of a permanent eight-classroom addition to the school (Charles Spencer) is one of the top capital demands for the District, as well as enhancing the gym at Aspen Grove School. (It) was re-configured into a Kindergarten to Grade 8 school, but still has a gym that was built for smaller kids.”
 
Other projects on the priority list are a modernization at Crystal Park School and a new K to Grade 8 school for the Kensington neighbourhood, which is being built west of 116 Street, one that will be needed in five to six years, based on discussions with City hall about how soon that area will be built out.
 
McDonald adds design work for a new Comp high school is underway. It would have room for 1600 students when it is open. He thinks that will be in a couple of years.