Trustee Richard Procee speaks with community members at an open house at G.W. Graham Secondary School on Thursday, March 5, 2026. (Image Credit: SD33 / Provided)
Chilliwack School District

SD33 tackling school enrollment and capacity at upcoming board meeting

Apr 24, 2026 | 2:49 PM

CHILLIWACK — The Chilliwack School Board is locking in on plans to address its growing student population over the next decade at an upcoming board meeting.

With Chilliwack becoming the second-fastest-growing municipality in Canada between 2016 and 2021, the city began to see “uneven pressure” across its schools – but recent projections from the province show that enrollment is expected to stabilize across B.C., according to the School District.

On May 12, SD33 is scheduled to host a meeting focused solely on the enrollment and facilities review, following a public consultation period during which students, staff, and community members shared their thoughts on the issue.

“This work is about planning and also hearing from the community,” said Superintendent Rohan Arul-pragasam. “Over the past year, we spent a significant amount of time listening to students, staff, families and our broader communities.”

Roughly 7,700 people visited the District’s engagement portal during the consultation period, with over 400 taking the survey.

“People have shared thoughtful stories about how any recommendations would impact them and their families,” the superintendent added.

Stability, keeping kids together as they move through school, preventing overcrowding, and access to nearby schools were among the top priorities for long-term planning.

Any approved recommendations are set to be implemented in September 2027 to support transition planning with school communities.