Tuesday marks the first day back to class for tens of thousands of New Brunswick students.
In the Anglophone East School District, the classrooms are more full than ever.
Superintendent Randy MacLEAN said enrolment across the district continues to rise.
“In 2018-2019, the student population was 15,924. We are, right now, 20,170, so we’re looking at about a 4,000-student change,” MacLEAN told our newsroom.
That number is expected to increase over the coming weeks with more registrations anticipated.
MacLEAN adds they have seen more than 100 new students a month over the last two years.
As the district’s 3,500 staff prepare to welcome the many new faces, the superintendent has some advice for parents.
“Get involved. Ask. Parents are the first teachers and parents share their most valuable asset with us each and every day and we’re excited to partner with them,” said MacLEAN.
Tuesday also marks the opening of Wabanaki School, the new school for Grade 6 to 8 students in Moncton’s west end.
Located next to Bernice MacNaughton High School, the original plan was for the school to replace Hillcrest and Bessborough schools, but changes had to be made due to increased enrolments.
Bessborough School will now operate as a K-5 school and Hillcrest moves to become an alternative learning site.
More than 730 students were registered to attend Wabanaki School as of Thursday. It was built to accommodate more than 800 students.
