September 16th, 2019

School additions are contemplated where the accommodation need is sustained for the long term, whereas portable classrooms are the preferred solution to accommodate shorter term spikes in enrolment. It is rare for a school to be without portables within the first 10 to 15 years of its operation. When building schools, the size is determined by what will be required for the long-term (50+ years).

As neighbourhoods mature, student populations tend to level out or decline. If a school is built for its peak enrolment it could risk being critically underutilized for the majority of its 50+ year lifespan. When schools are critically underutilized for the long term they become candidates for closure and consolidation studies.

Other legislative changes enacted by the Ministry of Education may also impact the utilization of a school. The reduction in primary class sizes and introduction of Full-Day Kindergarten resulted in greater space needs to accommodate the same number of students, sometimes resulting in the need for portables or permanent additions at schools. More recently secondary class sizes were identified for an increase in loading. The full impact of this change has not yet been realized as the new 28:1 ratio will be implemented over a four year period. E-learning is another Ministry initiative that could impact how school facilities are loaded.