Prince George, B.C. – Preliminary numbers show a modest increase in overall enrolment in the Prince George School District.

Trustee Sharel Warrington, chair of the board’s Education Services Committee, presented the numbers and her report at last night’s monthly board meeting.

The preliminary 2016-2017 numbers showed the district has 12,841 students, a slight increase from the 12,728 students enrolled last year, and an even bigger increase than the 12,654 students enrolled in the 2014-15 school year.

“More students is good news,” remarked Warrington, who noted she was pleased that “quite a few schools are at or above capacity.”

She said that included many schools in the ‘bowl’ area of Prince George. For instance, Edgewood, Spruceland, Foothills, and Heritage elementary schools along with two high schools –  Duchess Park and DP Todd.

Warrington said she was also encouraged that some school’s in the Hart are above capacity – including Glenview, Hart Highlands and Heather Park elementary schools.

There was more good news in College Heights where six schools are operating above, or near maximum capacity.

Another bright spot was Hixon Elementary where enrolment increased from 34 to 39 students and Giscome Elementary was up 10 students to 42.

Further north, Morfee Elementary in Mackenzie is above capacity at 391 students while Mackenzie Secondary is less than half full with 216 students. Moving east Valemount Elementary was down two students to 134 while enrolment was up 18 to 91 at Valemount Secondary.

She expressed concern however that Nukko Lake Elementary is below 100 students (94) and that both McBride Centennial (88) and McBride Secondary (71) schools are operating well below capacity.

“It’s data the board will need to continue to monitor,” said Warrington.

To see how the Prince George District Parent Advisory Council compares actual enrolment to projections in the district click here.