Preliminary Boundary Review Discussions

The Chilliwack School District is among the fastest growing school districts in BC and is projected to grow by 1,150 students over the next decade. As of 2024-2025, there are approximately 15,000 students in the district.

In September 2023, the provincial government announced $58.6 million to build a new elementary school to alleviate capacity challenges on Chilliwack’s east side by adding space for 500 K-5 students. Update: The new elementary school will open for the 2027/2028 school year.

District staff anticipate that the Board of Education will engage in a boundary review process to determine which students will attend the new school on the north side. During the boundary review there is also an opportunity to review boundaries and enrolment on the south side of the city.

Update: From February to April 2025, we engaged in preliminary discussions with parents/guardian/caregivers and staff in potentially impacted school communities. The focus of preliminary discussions was to share potential changes to balance enrolment on Chilliwack's south side and to explore scenarios for enrolment at the new east side elementary school. Staff compiled what we heard from families and school communities in a What We Heard Report. The report is now available.

Questions

The Chilliwack School District is growing rapidly and expects 1,150 more students over the next decade. To address capacity, a new elementary school for 500 students is being built, set to open in 2026.

District staff are hosting preliminary discussions with specific school communities to share and hear feedback on potential changes to existing boundaries throughout the district and to explore possible scenarios for enrolment at the new school.

Please share any questions and we'll do our best to answer as promptly as we can.

Share The information provided says that the new school is adding 500 seats for K-5. This is actually not the case since the seats will be filled with existing students from Rosedale and Cheam. The 500 seats are not added seats. The students coming from Rosedale and not leaving empty seats behind, the Rosedale existing school will become a Middle school only and those K-5 students will only be moving. The Cheam students also are moving to the new school. Cheam will be closing it's doors, again not leaving open seats behind. So in Essence, the new school of 500 seats is replacing existing seats, not adding seats. With an expect 1150 more students over the next decade, the solution still hasn't been found. on Facebook Share The information provided says that the new school is adding 500 seats for K-5. This is actually not the case since the seats will be filled with existing students from Rosedale and Cheam. The 500 seats are not added seats. The students coming from Rosedale and not leaving empty seats behind, the Rosedale existing school will become a Middle school only and those K-5 students will only be moving. The Cheam students also are moving to the new school. Cheam will be closing it's doors, again not leaving open seats behind. So in Essence, the new school of 500 seats is replacing existing seats, not adding seats. With an expect 1150 more students over the next decade, the solution still hasn't been found. on Twitter Share The information provided says that the new school is adding 500 seats for K-5. This is actually not the case since the seats will be filled with existing students from Rosedale and Cheam. The 500 seats are not added seats. The students coming from Rosedale and not leaving empty seats behind, the Rosedale existing school will become a Middle school only and those K-5 students will only be moving. The Cheam students also are moving to the new school. Cheam will be closing it's doors, again not leaving open seats behind. So in Essence, the new school of 500 seats is replacing existing seats, not adding seats. With an expect 1150 more students over the next decade, the solution still hasn't been found. on Linkedin Email The information provided says that the new school is adding 500 seats for K-5. This is actually not the case since the seats will be filled with existing students from Rosedale and Cheam. The 500 seats are not added seats. The students coming from Rosedale and not leaving empty seats behind, the Rosedale existing school will become a Middle school only and those K-5 students will only be moving. The Cheam students also are moving to the new school. Cheam will be closing it's doors, again not leaving open seats behind. So in Essence, the new school of 500 seats is replacing existing seats, not adding seats. With an expect 1150 more students over the next decade, the solution still hasn't been found. link

The information provided says that the new school is adding 500 seats for K-5. This is actually not the case since the seats will be filled with existing students from Rosedale and Cheam. The 500 seats are not added seats. The students coming from Rosedale and not leaving empty seats behind, the Rosedale existing school will become a Middle school only and those K-5 students will only be moving. The Cheam students also are moving to the new school. Cheam will be closing it's doors, again not leaving open seats behind. So in Essence, the new school of 500 seats is replacing existing seats, not adding seats. With an expect 1150 more students over the next decade, the solution still hasn't been found.

Karine Lemay asked about 2 months ago

Thank you for your question and interest in the planning of new school spaces.
While it’s true that students attending the new east side elementary may relocate from Cheam and Rosedale, the creation of this 500-seat school is still a critical part of expanding overall capacity across the district. This project allows for the realignment and repurposing of existing facilities to better serve current and future students. Cheam Elementary, which is operating at approximately 225% of its intended capacity (111-seat facility), could be repurposed as an alternate program site.
Importantly, this work is part of a broader, collaborative effort between the Chilliwack School District and the Ministry of Education. With many districts across B.C. competing for limited capital funding, Chilliwack has been successful in securing investment by working proactively with the Ministry. Since 2018, this partnership has delivered 2,420 new student spaces through new schools and expansions. Upcoming projects including expansions at Sardis Secondary and AD Rundle Middle, and the construction of the new east-side elementary will add another 1,200 seats over the next two years.
With growing enrolment, this strategic and collaborative planning ensures we are not just shifting students but growing long-term capacity to meet the needs of our community.
Share Will the new school have an after school program (and summer program) for students who will lose their spot in their current programs due to being moved from their current school? (Little footsteps picks up from cheam but has confirmed they cannot pick up from Rosedale.) on Facebook Share Will the new school have an after school program (and summer program) for students who will lose their spot in their current programs due to being moved from their current school? (Little footsteps picks up from cheam but has confirmed they cannot pick up from Rosedale.) on Twitter Share Will the new school have an after school program (and summer program) for students who will lose their spot in their current programs due to being moved from their current school? (Little footsteps picks up from cheam but has confirmed they cannot pick up from Rosedale.) on Linkedin Email Will the new school have an after school program (and summer program) for students who will lose their spot in their current programs due to being moved from their current school? (Little footsteps picks up from cheam but has confirmed they cannot pick up from Rosedale.) link

Will the new school have an after school program (and summer program) for students who will lose their spot in their current programs due to being moved from their current school? (Little footsteps picks up from cheam but has confirmed they cannot pick up from Rosedale.)

Jenn asked 13 days ago

According to Administrative Regulation 911.1, District staff, the school principal and community school society will work together to assess programming demands. The number of before and after school care seats at the new east side elementary will depend on demand as well as considerations including staffing and licensing. Some school societies, including Rosedale Community School Society, offer child care through the summer.
Share Will the new east side school be traditional like RTCSS? If not, the K-5 students moving to RTCSS will now have to wear school uniform? on Facebook Share Will the new east side school be traditional like RTCSS? If not, the K-5 students moving to RTCSS will now have to wear school uniform? on Twitter Share Will the new east side school be traditional like RTCSS? If not, the K-5 students moving to RTCSS will now have to wear school uniform? on Linkedin Email Will the new east side school be traditional like RTCSS? If not, the K-5 students moving to RTCSS will now have to wear school uniform? link

Will the new east side school be traditional like RTCSS? If not, the K-5 students moving to RTCSS will now have to wear school uniform?

Patricia asked 4 months ago

Hi Patricia. Questions about uniforms and the traditional school model will be addressed by the school community at the school level through consultation with families, students, and staff.
Share Is there any consideration for making RTCS a middle and high school? on Facebook Share Is there any consideration for making RTCS a middle and high school? on Twitter Share Is there any consideration for making RTCS a middle and high school? on Linkedin Email Is there any consideration for making RTCS a middle and high school? link

Is there any consideration for making RTCS a middle and high school?

JEmmelot asked 4 months ago

Thank you for your question. Give the size of the school, making RTCS a combined middle and secondary school would really limit the offerings and electives that would be available to secondary students. The experience at other secondary schools would be far superior creating inequity in service.