Preliminary Discussions: Facilities and Enrolment Review

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Preliminary discussions are now completed.

From January 2025 to early January 2026, staff at the Chilliwack School District had preliminary discussions with specific schools.

The focus of these discussions was to:

  • Share potential solutions for balancing enrolment at middle and secondary schools.
  • Explore scenarios for enrolment at the new elementary school currently under construction in Rosedale.

Engagement

  • 36 meetings, community discussions, and presentations with school staff, students, families, Parent Advisory Councils, and Board partners.
  • Approximately 583 participants from school communities.
  • 2.2k visits to this Let's Talk page.
  • 685 downloads of Q+A documents.

What We Heard

The updated What We Heard

Preliminary discussions are now completed.

From January 2025 to early January 2026, staff at the Chilliwack School District had preliminary discussions with specific schools.

The focus of these discussions was to:

  • Share potential solutions for balancing enrolment at middle and secondary schools.
  • Explore scenarios for enrolment at the new elementary school currently under construction in Rosedale.

Engagement

  • 36 meetings, community discussions, and presentations with school staff, students, families, Parent Advisory Councils, and Board partners.
  • Approximately 583 participants from school communities.
  • 2.2k visits to this Let's Talk page.
  • 685 downloads of Q+A documents.

What We Heard

The updated What We Heard Report provides a record of what we heard from school communities over the past year.

Conversations showed that people across our school communities have many different views, but there is a clear desire for careful changes that put student well-being first. We also heard that students, staff, and families feel strong pride and connection to their schools, and value programs like French Immersion and Integrated Arts and Technology. Many community members want to better understand the district-wide picture as decisions are made about balancing school enrolment

Community feedback helps us to understand and respond to the perspectives of staff, students, families, and community members.

Context

Between 2016 and 2021, Chilliwack was the second fastest growing municipality in Canada. By 2035, the city’s population is expected to reach 132,000. This growth, combined with limited available land, is putting pressure on Chilliwack schools. One third of schools in the Chilliwack School District are overcapacity, particularly at middle and secondary schools.

In 2023, the provincial government announced that it would build a new elementary school in Rosedale with space for 500 K-5 students. The school will open in September 2027. The new school prompted the Chilliwack School District to begin exploring how to balance enrolment and capacity at our schools.

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

Preliminary discussions are now complete. 

  • Share What is being done to address the anticipated decline in Early French Immersion enrolment due to moving the program even further away from the centre of Chilliwack? Is this an attempt to remove the program? on Facebook Share What is being done to address the anticipated decline in Early French Immersion enrolment due to moving the program even further away from the centre of Chilliwack? Is this an attempt to remove the program? on Twitter Share What is being done to address the anticipated decline in Early French Immersion enrolment due to moving the program even further away from the centre of Chilliwack? Is this an attempt to remove the program? on Linkedin Email What is being done to address the anticipated decline in Early French Immersion enrolment due to moving the program even further away from the centre of Chilliwack? Is this an attempt to remove the program? link

    What is being done to address the anticipated decline in Early French Immersion enrolment due to moving the program even further away from the centre of Chilliwack? Is this an attempt to remove the program?

    Colin Farquhar asked 16 days ago

    Hi Colin. Thank you for your question. The Board of Education believes that learning French helps students think in new ways and connect with others. It is also valuable for certain career opportunities.

    The recommendation to move Early French Immersion is proposed because Cheam Elementary School is currently at 217% capacity. The Cheam site is not a candidate for a renovation, addition or a new school. The new elementary school under construction in Rosedale has space for 500 K-5 students and would have space for the French Immersion program to grow.

  • Share When will the "What we heard" document be ready for Dec 16th meeting with VMS? on Facebook Share When will the "What we heard" document be ready for Dec 16th meeting with VMS? on Twitter Share When will the "What we heard" document be ready for Dec 16th meeting with VMS? on Linkedin Email When will the "What we heard" document be ready for Dec 16th meeting with VMS? link

    When will the "What we heard" document be ready for Dec 16th meeting with VMS?

    Kendy asked 14 days ago

    Hi Kendy. Thank you for your question. A Frequently Asked Questions document addressing the questions we heard at VMS in December 2025 will be sent out to all Vedder Middle families this week. The What We Heard Report will be available today and will be shared with all administrators and Parent Advisory Councils. 

  • Share Re:Southside LFI school Hello, if the LFI program is moved from VMS to Mt Slesse, will the transition be immediate or gradual? Will students already in the LFI program at VMS be required to switch schools between grades 6-8? on Facebook Share Re:Southside LFI school Hello, if the LFI program is moved from VMS to Mt Slesse, will the transition be immediate or gradual? Will students already in the LFI program at VMS be required to switch schools between grades 6-8? on Twitter Share Re:Southside LFI school Hello, if the LFI program is moved from VMS to Mt Slesse, will the transition be immediate or gradual? Will students already in the LFI program at VMS be required to switch schools between grades 6-8? on Linkedin Email Re:Southside LFI school Hello, if the LFI program is moved from VMS to Mt Slesse, will the transition be immediate or gradual? Will students already in the LFI program at VMS be required to switch schools between grades 6-8? link

    Re:Southside LFI school Hello, if the LFI program is moved from VMS to Mt Slesse, will the transition be immediate or gradual? Will students already in the LFI program at VMS be required to switch schools between grades 6-8?

    Thegengs asked 13 days ago

    Thank you for your question. Gradual transitions are something that District staff and the Board may consider if there is a decision to move the French Immersion program. 

  • Share As a Yarrow parent, I’ve seen my child struggle after being separated from peers he formed close connections with at Stitó:s Lá:lém Totí:lt due to secondary school assignments based on elementary catchments. Is the District reconsidering this approach so students from Stitó:s Lá:lém Totí:lt can attend the same secondary school? I also have a daughter who currently attends Stitó:s Lá:lém Totí:lt and experiences ongoing stress and anxiety about being separated from her established peer group when she enters secondary school. This is a concern I’ve heard from many other Yarrow parents as well, and I worry about the impact this policy has on students’ mental health and overall wellbeing. Alternatively, could Yarrow students be offered the same option as Watson Elementary students to choose which secondary school they attend? on Facebook Share As a Yarrow parent, I’ve seen my child struggle after being separated from peers he formed close connections with at Stitó:s Lá:lém Totí:lt due to secondary school assignments based on elementary catchments. Is the District reconsidering this approach so students from Stitó:s Lá:lém Totí:lt can attend the same secondary school? I also have a daughter who currently attends Stitó:s Lá:lém Totí:lt and experiences ongoing stress and anxiety about being separated from her established peer group when she enters secondary school. This is a concern I’ve heard from many other Yarrow parents as well, and I worry about the impact this policy has on students’ mental health and overall wellbeing. Alternatively, could Yarrow students be offered the same option as Watson Elementary students to choose which secondary school they attend? on Twitter Share As a Yarrow parent, I’ve seen my child struggle after being separated from peers he formed close connections with at Stitó:s Lá:lém Totí:lt due to secondary school assignments based on elementary catchments. Is the District reconsidering this approach so students from Stitó:s Lá:lém Totí:lt can attend the same secondary school? I also have a daughter who currently attends Stitó:s Lá:lém Totí:lt and experiences ongoing stress and anxiety about being separated from her established peer group when she enters secondary school. This is a concern I’ve heard from many other Yarrow parents as well, and I worry about the impact this policy has on students’ mental health and overall wellbeing. Alternatively, could Yarrow students be offered the same option as Watson Elementary students to choose which secondary school they attend? on Linkedin Email As a Yarrow parent, I’ve seen my child struggle after being separated from peers he formed close connections with at Stitó:s Lá:lém Totí:lt due to secondary school assignments based on elementary catchments. Is the District reconsidering this approach so students from Stitó:s Lá:lém Totí:lt can attend the same secondary school? I also have a daughter who currently attends Stitó:s Lá:lém Totí:lt and experiences ongoing stress and anxiety about being separated from her established peer group when she enters secondary school. This is a concern I’ve heard from many other Yarrow parents as well, and I worry about the impact this policy has on students’ mental health and overall wellbeing. Alternatively, could Yarrow students be offered the same option as Watson Elementary students to choose which secondary school they attend? link

    As a Yarrow parent, I’ve seen my child struggle after being separated from peers he formed close connections with at Stitó:s Lá:lém Totí:lt due to secondary school assignments based on elementary catchments. Is the District reconsidering this approach so students from Stitó:s Lá:lém Totí:lt can attend the same secondary school? I also have a daughter who currently attends Stitó:s Lá:lém Totí:lt and experiences ongoing stress and anxiety about being separated from her established peer group when she enters secondary school. This is a concern I’ve heard from many other Yarrow parents as well, and I worry about the impact this policy has on students’ mental health and overall wellbeing. Alternatively, could Yarrow students be offered the same option as Watson Elementary students to choose which secondary school they attend?

    Zena asked 8 days ago

    Hi Zena. Thank you for your question. We heard similar feedback from many Yarrow parents during preliminary discussions in the spring. The recommendation for Yarrow students is that they transition to Vedder Middle School in Grade 6. They would then transition with their middle school peers to Sardis Secondary in Grade 9. 

  • Share Do we have the ability to revert our schools back to the k-7 foundation, eliminating middle schools? Can we please have yarrow community school be considered to be a middle school? on Facebook Share Do we have the ability to revert our schools back to the k-7 foundation, eliminating middle schools? Can we please have yarrow community school be considered to be a middle school? on Twitter Share Do we have the ability to revert our schools back to the k-7 foundation, eliminating middle schools? Can we please have yarrow community school be considered to be a middle school? on Linkedin Email Do we have the ability to revert our schools back to the k-7 foundation, eliminating middle schools? Can we please have yarrow community school be considered to be a middle school? link

    Do we have the ability to revert our schools back to the k-7 foundation, eliminating middle schools? Can we please have yarrow community school be considered to be a middle school?

    Katelin asked 10 months ago

    Thank you for your question. We discussed a middle school scenario with Yarrow families in late September 2025. See the feedback from that session under documents. 

  • 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 9 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 8 months 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 11 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 11 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. 

Page last updated: 21 Jan 2026, 11:11 AM