Board to Consider Formal Consultation on Draft Plan to Balance School Enrolment

The Chilliwack School District is looking at ways to balance school enrolment and capacity. At the public board meeting on Tuesday, January 27th, staff will seek approval from the Board of Education to conduct public consultation on a draft plan to address capacity challenges. If approved, public consultation would run from January 28 – April 10, 2026.

From January 2025 to early January 2026, District staff had 37 meetings with nearly 600 people including school staff, students, parents, and community partners to hear feedback on early ideas. The meetings involved 11 school communities. A What We Heard Report summarizes those conversations.  

“We heard strong support for District programs including French Immersion and Integrated Arts and Technology. We also heard that students and families feel strong connections to their schools and school staff,” said Amy Dhanjal, Communications Manager. “Parents told us how important it is for the district to consider the well-being of students and their families when we consider changes to our schools.”

Between 2016 and 2021, Chilliwack was the second fastest growing municipality in Canada. Between 2035 and 2040, the city’s population is expected to reach 132,000. This growth, combined with limited available land, is putting pressure on Chilliwack schools, especially at the middle and secondary school levels.

At the November public board meeting, Superintendent Rohan Arul-pragasam provided an update on school enrolment and capacity. The data shows that the district is at 103% of functional capacity. While some sites remain below or near capacity, several schools - including Cheam Elementary (217%), Chilliwack Secondary (135%), Chilliwack Middle (122%), A.D. Rundle Middle (125%), and GW Graham Secondary (115%) - are now over capacity.

In 2023, the provincial government announced that it would build a new elementary school on Chilliwack’s east side, adding space for 500 K-5 students. Construction will be completed in Spring 2027, and the new school will open in September 2027.

Find information on pre-engagement: Let's Talk.