Enrollment across the Southeast Cornerstone Public School Division has held relatively steady, which is allowing schools to maintain consistent programming for students and families.
Director of Education Keith Keating said that stability helps schools focus on learning outcomes rather than the challenges that come with large fluctuations in student numbers.
“When enrollments are steady, it means that we can continue to offer the programming the students and families are used to,” Keating explained. “With that stability comes an opportunity to help improve learning outcomes for students in schools without concentrating on growth or declining enrollment.”
While the division can’t directly influence population growth, Keating said schools continue to focus on being welcoming spaces for both students and families. Enrollment shifts typically reflect broader economic activity and population movement within the region.
Keating noted that while the overall division-wide student population sits around 8,200 and has remained fairly consistent over the past decade, there are still fluctuations between communities. “We’ll sometimes see population shift from one area of the division to another, or even from one school to another within the same community, as families move for work opportunities,” he said.
In recent years, some schools in Estevan and other larger centres have seen a small increase in kindergarten and pre-kindergarten enrollment, while some rural schools have experienced slight declines. Keating emphasized that although certain schools experience growth, the division overall remains stable.
When enrollment jumps occur, adjustments are made. “Sometimes it means a shifting of classes within the school, and in some cases, we’ve had to add additional staff in late September or early October,” Keating explained.
Overall, the division’s steady enrollment allows schools to focus on providing strong programming and supporting students without major disruptions.