enrolment

Student enrolment is expected to continue to decline in some catholic schools this fall.

The Northwest Catholic District School Board says early predictions suggest an overall decline of about 1.2%. just over one per cent.

Superintendent of Business Alex McAuley says that follows provincial projections.

“And the rationale for it in our area is more or less an aging population that doesn’t have the same number of young children to adult ratio,” says McAuley.

There are some bright spots.

The Board is seeing some continued enrolment growth at St. Patrick’s School in Atikokan.

At Lady of the Way School in Stratton, the Board’s smaller schools, more than 30 students are attending classes.

On the downside, Sacred Heart in Sioux Lookout and St. Joseph’s School in Dryden are showing significant declines.

McAuley is at a loss as to why.

“I’m actually not 100% sure, and I cannot specifically say why that is,” admits McAuley.

“It was a notable thing, and we’re digging into it to hopefully have better information coming after the kindergarten registration.”

The Board reports on enrollment multiple times throughout the year.

The numbers impact budgeting and funding provided by the provincial government.