Citing low enrollment, Wild Rose School Division (WRSD) is sounding the alarm about the future of its pre-kindergarten program.
Ahead of the 2026-27 school year, WRSD is seeing lower-than-anticipated enrolment, putting several schools below the required 15-student threshold to host the program.
Low enrolment numbers have been flagged in seven schools across the division:
Rocky Mountain House:
- École Rocky Elementary
- Rocky Christian School
- Lochearn School
Drayton Valley:
- Evergreen School
- Aurora School
Corridor:
- Charlotte Small School
- Caroline School
Rocky Christian School principal Rob Duiker says they are having a particularly difficult time at his school.
“We are indeed short of the 15 enrolments that we need,” he says, adding that if Rocky Christian does not reach the minimum number, space would be found for pre-kindergarten students at other schools — likely École Rocky Elementary.
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To determine the viability of the program, WRSD has set a May 15 deadline in hopes of reaching enough registrations to continue offering pre-kindergarten.
The division is asking parents to register their children ahead of the deadline, as officials say early registration is the best way to ensure the program remains in place.
The pre-kindergarten program is available to all children who turn four years old by Dec. 31, 2026.
The program is also open to children who turn three-years-old by Dec. 31, 2026, who require specialized support for moderate language delays or severe developmental needs, according to the WRSD screening process.
To find out more about enrollment, parents can click here.
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