Christ the Redeemer Catholic Schools (CTR) expects a record number of students at its high school in Okotoks this September.
Superintendent Andrea Holowka said enrolment has been steady across the division of about 10,000 students, but one school that is growing significantly is Holy Trinity Academy.
The Grade 10 to 12 school is projected to see 70 additional students this year, Holowka said, for a total population of about 920. It will be the school’s largest-ever student body.
As the school’s enrolment grows, Holowka said ensuring class sizes are beneficial to students is a priority.
“We would certainly be looking to ensure that any increases in schools are matched with staff to accommodate those increases,” she said.
Schools in the Okotoks area will continue to see growth, Holowka said.
A replacement for Ecole Good Shepherd, a K to Grade 6 school in Okotoks, was announced in the spring that will see it expand to a K to Grade 9 school.
“We're in the early stages of planning out what the building will look like and how it will accommodate our families and students,” Holowka said.
The replacement school will be built on a new site and be able to house more students.
"That's going to accommodate some of the growth in Okotoks," she said.
CTR received funding last spring to for students with complex learning needs who require support with mental, physical or cognitive health.
“We were able to provide an allocation to each of our schools that they could use, to then respond to whatever needs they would see best fit.”
She said CTR’s online learning and home school programs are thriving and show strong student performance, but final enrolment numbers for those programs aren’t available due to their later registration.
“We receive our final numbers for those well into September,” she said.
The division contracts bussing to Southland Transportation, and Holowka said she is not aware of any issues cropping up regarding bus routes or bus driver shortages.
“So far, everything seems to be running smoothly with that planning process with Southland.”
Holowka stepped into her role as superintendent following the retirement of Dr. Scott Morrison earlier this year and said she is looking forward to the start of the school year.
“I'm extremely excited to be starting the school year with Christ the Redeemer,” she said. “I am just so pleased to be able to work alongside such talented leaders and educators.”
Classes at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Schools resume on Sept 5.
