London District Catholic School Board to cap enrollment at some schools due to ‘considerable growth’

Surging student enrolment is forcing a policy change at the London District Catholic School Board. CTV’s Reta Ismail reports.

The London District Catholic School Board (LDCSB) is capping enrollment at some schools after ‘considerable growth’ in the student population.

“We’ve had about a thirty per cent growth rate since 2020, we’re looking at even next year, roughly around a 7 per cent,” said Executive Superintendent of Business and Corporate Services Debbie Jordan.

The LDCSB says it’s the fastest growing Catholic school board in the province, welcoming roughly 1,500 new students this school year, with an increase in student population from 18,000 to 27,500 students over the past eight years.

This growth has led to enrollment capacity at 4 elementary schools and 1 high school.

Once these schools reach their capacity, new students will be directed to register at other nearby Catholic schools. The board says it continues to apply for funding from the ministry for additional schools.

“We’re really trying to keep on top of it, but it’s very hard to because we are waiting for ministry approval,” said Jordan.

The board says the rapid growth means it’s facing new challenges, including ordering more portable classrooms than ever before.

“We have to work with the municipality because they, they do have caps on, on how many portables,” continued Jordan. “So once that cap is met, we actually have to go to another location.”

As the board awaits approval to construct more schools including new elementary schools and high schools in London and St. Thomas, Jordan says they will do their best to accommodate students coming to certain schools.

“We like to keep the families together, so they’re usually the ones that are considered first and then we do have to do the first come, first serve after that,” said Jordan.

The board says school transportation will be provided assuming students meet bussing eligibility requirements.