Media Release
For Immediate Release
Thursday, March 16, 2017
Greater Victoria School District Seeks Input from Parents about Student Enrolment Priorities
VICTORIA, BC – Student enrolment priorities determine the order in which students will get into a school when space is limited. The Greater Victoria School District is seeking public input on what is important to parents and what is most important when prioritizing how students are accepted when space is limited.
Long term enrolment projections indicate that the Greater Victoria School District could see an increase of 2,000 students over the next 10 years. Although it is anticipated that Greater Victoria’s 47 schools can accommodate the projected increase of overall students, some schools will be challenged to accommodate the demand for catchment students, as well as choice. As certain neighbourhoods grow and demographics change, some schools are experiencing pressures already.
“Transparent and well-understood enrolment priorities are incredibly important to both managing a public school system and to helping families guide decisions and choices about their children’s education,” noted Piet Langstraat, Superintendent of Greater Victoria Schools. “Determining how student registrations are prioritized when space is limited haven’t been reviewed in many years and so it is essential that we hear from parents about what is important to them.”
Under the School Act, the School District is required to articulate student enrolment priorities in a policy approved by the Board of Education. A Transfer and Registration Committee made up of staff, parents, and Trustees has been established to review the current priorities, seek public input and make recommendations to the Board in May 2017. The student enrolment priorities determined in this process will apply to kindergarten registration, French Immersion and requests for transfer.
The Greater Victoria School District is seeking input from parents as part of a review of the current priorities and the overall registration and transfer process. The results of the review process will help ensure a transparent and fair process for student registration at all grade levels including French Immersion and requests to transfer to a non-catchment school. This does not apply to Programs of Choice in secondary school (e.g. Flex, Challenge, and sports academies). Registration for these programs is done through a merit-based application process.
In an effort to reach as many parents across the District as possible, an online survey is available to collect input. The survey is also available in print and is being translated into five languages to reach parents whose first language is not English. The survey will close Monday, April 10, 2017, at 4 pm.
A summary of “What We Heard” outlining the process and input collected will be available to the public, the Committee and the Board’s review in May 2017. The Committee will make recommendations to the Board of Education on May 23, 2017.
Link to survey: https://www.sd61.bc.ca/
Media contact:
Katie Hamilton
Communications and Community Engagement
Superintendent’s Office
Office: 250.475.4103
Mobile: 250.893.1062