LRSD enrolment down slightly from previous school year

Oct 16, 2026 | 2:28 PM

Total student enrolment in Livingstone Range School Division has dropped by 0.7 per cent compared to the previous school year.

LRSD officials say the full-time equivalent (FTE) student enrolment is 3502.80 for the 2026-2027 school year. This number, calculated annually on Sept. 30, represents 3,662 actual students.

According to the formula required by Alberta Education and upon which funding is granted, the full-time students (in-person and virtual) count as 1 FTE, Early Childhood Services or Kindergarten students as 0.5 FTE, enrolled Home Education students as 0.25 FTE.

“The slight decrease in enrolment can be attributed to many factors, including demographic shifts, number of students born in a given year, and families moving for employment or other opportunities,” says Sean Beaton, Superintendent of Livingstone Range School Division. “We’re glad that actual enrolment is in line with projections for this year, as families see the value of a Livingstone Range education.”

LRSD says student enrolment dropped in each community, with the exception of Nanton (which saw an increase of 17 students between the two schools in that community), Granum (which had an overall increase of three students), and Fort Macleod (which had an overall increase of 21 students).

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Although enrolment numbers are down from the prior year which has a direct impact on overall funding, officials say enrolment is in line with what was projected. As such, LRSD says the current year’s anticipated funding based on the actual enrolment is consistent with what was budgeted.

Officials note that funding from Alberta Education is based on a two-year average enrolment (current year and projections) and includes five main categories of grants:

Base instruction funding
Program supports and services funding
School-based funding
Community-based funding
Authority-based funding

“Our priority is dollars for classrooms,” says Superintendent Beaton. “We want to ensure that where we can save and find efficiencies, we are doing it so that our classrooms have the resources they need to help ensure the success of ‘Every student, every day’.”

To see previous years’ student enrolment and budget funding information, visit https://www.lrsd.ca/our-division/departments/finance.

by LNN Staff

LRSD enrolment down slightly from previous school year

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