The St. James-Assiniboia School Division was formed in 1969 with the amalgamation of two very proud school divisions. It had a total student enrollment of about 20,000 students at that time.
In 1988, a study was undertaken by the Division to assess the demographic trends in the area. As per the report, 'no other school division in the City of Winnipeg has experienced as sharp a decline (in student population) as St. James-Assiniboia.' Furthermore, the concept of 'ageing in place' was identified where homeowners chose to live in their houses long after their children had graduated from school.
Successive School Boards addressed the declining enrollment issue by closing multiple schools. A school review policy was adopted that proved successful in engaging the community in the downsizing process. Some schools, such as Jameswood Elementary School, were repurposed while others, such as Kirkfield Park and Arthur Oliver Schools, were demolished to make way for commercial development (Real Canadian Superstore) or new residential construction.
While the pace of school closings has slowed, the Division continues to monitor enrollment projections to ensure future needs are met. As residential development continues west of the Perimeter and a proposed housing component is included within the CentrePort plans north of Saskatchewan Avenue, the Division is positioned well to service these expanding needs in the future.
With student enrollment currently at about 9,000 students (and projected to grow to 9300 by 2023), the future is bright for schools in St. James -Assiniboia and Phoenix School in Headingley.
Bruce Chegus, St. James-Assiniboia School Division Trustee
