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AT THE TOP OF THIS WINDOW

UPDATE

We have finished the first stage of the sectoral review and have our findings compiled in a report (pdf). 

We are now entering into a second stage which includes an invitation to the public to engage in consultation about the findings in the sectoral review report. We are encouraging anyone with an interest in the future of the VSB and Vancouver’s public schools to consider joining us for one of these facilitated consultation sessions.

CLICK ON THE EVENTS TAB ABOVE to find a session near you. You can learn more in the new video by clicking on the GALLERY TAB.

Should the VSB limit Cross Boundary Enrolment and add International Students? 

One of the challenges that we are facing in Vancouver is our ability to generate revenue while managing our shifting demographics. On one side of the city our schools are at capacity. On the other side of the city, we have excess space.

In addition, as a result of declining enrolment, our district is facing budget pressures. To manage these changes, the VSB has to look at ways to increase revenue as a way to offset our reductions in provincial funding.

Thus, our big question is:

"Should we limit the number of cross-boundary students to make space for more international students or should we keep our cross-boundary enrolment open and thus limit the number of international students we can accept (thereby limiting our potential revenue)?"

Please read on to find out more about this important subject, or go directly to the DISCUSSION TAB to share your ideas.

 

The Opportunity

Our International Program is a means of revenue generation, but it’s a competitive world out there when it comes to attracting these “fee paying” students who come to Vancouver for the cultural experience and to learn English. Each student pays a fee of $12,000. Right now we have approximately 1,000 International students. That means each year we collect roughly $12 million from our international students.

We use these funds to supplement all programs in the district. That means, that if we are able to develop a rich and robust International Program, the district benefits as a whole because a large proportion of revenue supplements a wide range of non-international programs in the district. 

 

The Challenge

This revenue is sorely needed. As mentioned, our district has a budgetary challenge. Overall, we have declining enrolment. Since we get paid by the province per student, fewer students means we receive less money. Meanwhile, we need to continue to provide top-rate educational services and programs to our students. As a result, we have to increasingly look at other revenue sources (like international students).

The problem is that most international students tend to prefer to enroll in west-side schools (west of Arbutus). These are the same schools that are almost universally over capacity.

Why are west side schools jammed with students while east side schools have room to spare? Part of the reason is cross-boundary enrollment. While the majority of students in Vancouver attend their neighbourhood school, many students choose to enroll in a school that is not their normal catchment school.

These “cross boundary enrolled” students choose another school for many reasons including some programs that may be unique to each secondary school. In many cases, students come from all over Vancouver to attend their secondary school of choice.

It is within our ability to generate some space, however this would mean that we would have to limit our enrolment in some schools by restricting the number of “cross boundary enrolled” students. This is a dilemma for the district in that these Vancouver students, who already live in the city, have a spot in their neighbourhood school, but have a choice to go elsewhere if space permits.

 

 

The Solution

We allow cross boundary enrolment very openly and widely. To use one example of the extent of cross-boundary enrolment, 581 of the 1,235 students enrolled at Point Grey last year were cross-boundary students.

Between Point Grey, Lord Byng, Kitsilano, Prince of Wales and Magee, 3,059 (46.3%) of the 6,600 registered students in 2011-2012 were cross-boundary enrolled.

But what if we started restricting cross boundary enrollment to make space for more international students?

Keep in Mind:

• If we limit cross boundary enrolment, restricting the opportunities for Vancouver residents to select a school other than their neighbourhood school, more international students can be accommodated. There will be increased revenue that will allow us to fund all programs.

• If we open cross boundary enrolment, we will place the options for Vancouver residents as a top priority beyond their already guaranteed space at their local school. There will be decreased revenue for international students and less funding overall for all programs.

There is no easy answer. We are soliciting public feedback on this issue and we look forward to your comments. You can share your thoughts on this important issue by clicking on the Discussion tab above.

 

Background to the Our Future Initiative