The number of students in Summerland schools is roughly the same as last year, with more in high school and fewer in elementary school grades.
Linda Van Alphen, chair of the Okanagan Skaha School District, said preliminary figures show there are roughly 1,300 students enrolled in Summerland Schools, which is close to last year’s figure.
More accurate statistics will be compiled at the end of September.
This year, Giant’s Head Elementary School is at capacity, while the declining enrolment is continuing at Trout Creek Elementary School.
The school has been facing low enrolment numbers for years.
In the spring of 2016, the school had 182 students in a building with the capacity for 277 students. At that time, the school board voted to close three schools, including Trout Creek, in an effort to trim $1.025 million from the board’s operating budget.
By the end of December, 2016, the elementary school had 160 students.
However, in late June, new funding from the province was approved, keeping Trout Creek School and Penticton’s West Bench Elementary School open.
Mayor Peter Waterman has repeatedly stated that new home construction in Trout Creek means there is an opportunity for more families with children to move into the neighbourhood.