Enrollment surges at new Simcoe County elementary school
A new elementary school in Alliston is welcoming hundreds of students to the community.
The Catholic school has registered just over 450 new students since its opening in September, with its numbers continuously growing.
"It is really wonderful and phenomenal to see how quickly the school has grown and become a school instead of a construction site," said May Boucher, St. Cecilia Catholic School principal.
Enrolment numbers at the new school continue to rise as the area experiences a surge in new housing developments and increased population growth.
"As new builds are closing and families are moving in, we continue to register students on a weekly basis, and it's beautiful to see," said Boucher.
It's a growth that New Tecumseth Mayor Richard Norcross said could see the community expand by the thousands in the next several years.
"We could see upwards of 100,000 people moving into the area in the next several years, and this school is badly needed. The Simcoe Muskoka Catholic school board worked in collaboration with the town to make it happen, and we think families are loving it," said Norcross.
Tanya Rodrigues is a mother of two whose son attends St. Cecilia. Her Grade 8 son was forced to change schools due to student boundary changes, but she welcomes the move.
"At first, we were terrified, and it was a big change for him with the boundary changes; however, now he is absolutely loving it," said Rodrigues.
On Tuesday, the school celebrated with a grand opening ceremony with parents and students.
According to the school board, St. Cecilia Catholic School is just the latest school to open its doors, with the board expected to add three new elementary schools in Innisfil, Tottenham, and Bradford in the coming years.
The board noted all the projects are in the beginning planning stages.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Calgary bridges remain closed due to ongoing police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Kinew, Poilievre meet at Manitoba legislature, discuss each other's priorities
Premier Wab Kinew and federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre met at the Manitoba legislature Thursday afternoon.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.