Growing enrolment is continuing to put pressure on several Avon Maitland District School Board elementary schools, even as significant classroom space remains available elsewhere in Huron and Perth counties.
Trustees received an updated Long-Term Accommodation Plan this week outlining where the board expects to face student accommodation and capital needs in the years ahead.
"The LTAP provides an overview of the student accommodation and capital planning needs in the district," the board said in its meeting highlights.
One of the areas under continued pressure is Brookside Public School, just outside Lucknow.
The school now serves approximately 360 students from kindergarten to Grade 8.
AMDSB says Brookside has been dealing with "ongoing enrolment growth," resulting in additional portables as well as playground, technology and parking improvements.
Board accommodation data using 2024 enrolment figures showed Brookside had 334 students despite permanent space for 305, putting the school at roughly 110 per cent of its building capacity.
Enrolment was projected to reach 378 students by 2029.
Similar pressures have been developing in North Perth.
North Perth Westfield Elementary School had 725 students against a permanent capacity of 629 in 2024, with board projections showing enrolment potentially climbing to about 900 students by 2029.
Listowel Eastdale Public School was projected to grow from 347 students in 2024 to 437 by 2029.
Those pressures have already led to changes.
Starting this school year, Grade 7 and 8 students from the Listowel Eastdale and North Perth Westfield attendance areas are attending Listowel District Secondary School following a boundary review.
"In North Perth, the current elementary accommodation plan is not sustainable," the board said when it launched the review.
Moving the students to LDSS allows the board to make use of available secondary-school space while easing pressure at the elementary level.
Board data showed LDSS had 935 students in 2024 and permanent capacity for 1,239, putting the school at about 76 per cent capacity.
That contrast is also visible elsewhere in the board.
Several Huron County secondary schools, including F.E. Madill in Wingham, Central Huron Secondary School in Clinton, Goderich District Collegiate Institute and South Huron District High School, have had significant permanent classroom capacity available.
At the elementary level, meanwhile, enrolment growth has created or is expected to create greater pressure in communities including North Perth, Brookside and Exeter.
AMDSB uses enrolment forecasts, school capacities and portable requirements to guide future accommodation and capital decisions.
The updated 2026 Long-Term Accommodation Plan was presented to trustees September 22, 2026.
