Prairie Rose enrolment hits 5,369, above projections

Prairie Rose Public Schools started the 2026–27 school year with approximately 5,369 students enrolled, an increase of 139 students — about 2.66 per cent — over the previous year and 157 above the division's original projections, according to a board meeting highlights report published by Prairie Rose Public Schools on Tuesday.

The figures, current as of Sept. 29, were presented to the board of trustees at the Oct. 13 regular meeting in one of several reports covering staffing, literacy programming and a Calgary school campus the division oversees.

South Alberta High School saw the largest single-school change, with primary enrolment jumping from 245 to 382 students, a gain of 137. Oyen Public School grew from 87 to 100 students, Coulee Collegiate added 19 students and the division's colony schools combined for 342 students, up 15.

Beyond those primary enrolments, approximately 1,000 students from other school authorities are currently taking courses through Prairie Rose, a number the division expects to grow as the school year continues.

The enrolment growth is matched by an expansion in staffing. The division's annual Human Resources Accountability Report identified 714 staff positions for 2026–27, up from 670 the previous year. The total includes 345 certificated and professional staff and 369 support staff. Total salary and benefit costs are projected at approximately $68.4 million, compared with $58.8 million in 2025–26.

Prairie Rose said it continues to face recruitment challenges for some high-school teaching positions and roles in more remote communities. Average class sizes across all grade levels remain below the superintendent's recommended values, the report said.

The board also received an update on a literacy professional development initiative. Prairie Rose hosted two days of training at Eagle Butte High School focused on the UFLI literacy framework and Word Origins program for Kindergarten to Grade 6 educators. The division said it was the first school authority in Canada to participate in the full training. Staff from neighbouring school divisions were also invited.

Trustees heard a presentation from Calgary Islamic School's Omar Bin Al-Khattab Campus, a Kindergarten to Grade 9 school within the Prairie Rose system that serves approximately 558 students — up 22 from last year. The school said more than 35 ethnic backgrounds are represented in its student population, with over 90 per cent of students identified as English language learners. The campus said it is exploring advanced academic courses and additional STEM programming, and hopes eventually to expand to Grade 12.

Trustees also discussed the division's membership in provincial trustee associations, agreeing to gather more information before making any decisions. Further discussion is scheduled for an upcoming board meeting.

The full agenda package from the Oct. 13 meeting is available at the Prairie Rose Public Schools website.