The Sooke School District has said a new secondary school is "urgently needed" after exceeding its projected growth for the 2024-25 school year.

For the new school year, the district had estimated enrolment of kindergarten to Grade 12 standard full-time equivalent (FTE) at 13,065 students. But this was exceeded by 233 students, bringing the total K-12 standard FTE to 13,298.

Growth was observed across all grade levels, but it was noted enrolment of secondary school students 'significantly' rose by seven per cent to 4,241 students, an increase of 278.

B次元官网网址淭his significant increase in enrolment at the secondary level emphasizes the urgent need for an additional secondary school in our district,B次元官网网址� said Paul Block, superintendent of Sooke School District, in a news release.

B次元官网网址淲ith Belmont and Royal Bay Secondary schools both exceeding their capacity, it is crucial that the proposed 2,000-seat North Langford Secondary School is approved to relieve pressure on our existing facilities and to address the secondary school space pressures in the West Shore,B次元官网网址� he continued.

According to Block, the district will work closely with the Ministry of Education and Child Care on the business case for North Langford Secondary School, before its submission in November.

B次元官网网址淚n the meantime, we are actively exploring creative interim solutions with the ministry to expand our capacity without adding more portables to our existing inventory,B次元官网网址� added Block.

While Sooke School District continues to experience rapid population growth B次元官网网址� the district is the fastest growing in B.C. B次元官网网址� Blocks says the district is committed to ensuring every student has access to a high quality education in a safe and supportive learning environment.

B次元官网网址淲e will continue to advocate for the resources and infrastructure needed to meet the demands of our growing community,B次元官网网址� he said.