School District 72 says enrolment this fall has come in slightly higher than expected - a welcome bit of good news for the Campbell River school district.

Superintendent Geoff Manning told trustees that actual student numbers as of September 30th were above projections for the 2025-26 school year.

The modest increase is being seen as positive news, particularly with the district facing financial pressures from rising employee benefit costs.

After final adjustments, Secretary-Treasurer Kevin Patrick reported that the district’s student count ended up being about 56 students above projections.

That suggests more families have moved to Campbell River over the past year than first anticipated.

Patrick noted the growth is especially encouraging since many districts across the province are seeing declining enrolment.

In Campbell River’s case, it points to renewed population growth in the area.

While one school’s enrolment was overestimated earlier in the year, the overall total shows roughly 125 new students moving into the community.

The district says it will continue to watch local demographics closely as part of its long-range planning and staffing forecasts, with cautious optimism that the upward trend will continue.

To see highlights from the October 21, 2025 public meeting of the Board of Education, visit School District 72.