For the second year in a row the student population in School District 57 has increased after 15 years of steady decline.
The preliminary report presented at Tuesday night's board meeting added more than 100 students to last year's numbers, bringing the total to 12,841.
That's still well below the district's operating capacity, which can accommodate up to 14,350 students in its building. That capacity estimate doesn't include portables.
The year's small uptick brings enrolment back closer to 2012 levels. Although it's a marginal increase, it's still a decidedly different outlook than the district's projections in 2013, which predicted the 2016 school population would be 11,943, according to a Citizen story.
At the time, the district was still rebounding from 21 school closures since 2001, when the school population was 18,147.
Education services chair Sharel Warrington said trustees should pay special attention to increases on a school-by-school and catchment basis, calling them pressure points.
"You will note there are quite a number of schools that are at or over capacity."
The report showed that College Heights Secondary, DP Todd and Duchess Park secondaries are all well above their operating capacity, while Prince George Secondary School and Kelly Road still have hundreds of open spots.
Both Warrington and vice-chair Tim Bennett said capacity crunches were a concern, especially in the bowl.
"Urban feeders are nearing capacity too," he said. "It's just one of those things I know is going to be a topic at the board... How do we help alleviate some of these pressures?
"While the district capacity may not be maxed out our schools in Prince George proper - especially in elementary schools - are getting full."
Giscome and Hixon elementaries both saw sizeable increases in their small populations. Giscome went from 21 in 2014 to 32 this year.
"Those communities will be happy to see that because just as McBride and Valemount look forward to increasing their enrolments... the enrolment in their schools make a big difference."
The rural schools are below capacity, with the exception of Morfee Elementary in Mackenzie, which is 23 students over its 368 limit.
