Changes Affecting Catholic Elementary Students in Southwest London
LDCSB Implements Designated Holding Area to Address Elementary School Capacity Issues in Southwest London
Originally built to accommodate approximately 430 students, Sir Arthur Carty Catholic Elementary School (Carty) currently serves nearly 700 students and is the second largest LDCSB elementary school in London. Due to the rapid growth in the number of students, a designated holding area has been implemented, effective immediately, to help curb the growth at the school.
Sir Arthur Carty (Ernest Avenue) is well over capacity and has little space to add additional portables. St. Jude Catholic Elementary School (Viscount Road) currently has some capacity and space.
A designated holding area based on home address will result in some students looking to attend a Catholic elementary school in Southwest London registering at St Jude instead of Sir Arthur Carty.
The designated holding area is a large square, with the boundaries of Southdale Road West to the north, White Oak Road to the east, Exeter Road to the south, and Wonderland Road South to the west.
By redirecting any new registrations living in the designated holding area to St. Jude, the LDCSB can utilize the available student learning space at the school while it awaits Ministry of Education approval to build a new elementary school in Southwest London.
Incoming JK/SK siblings of any currently registered Carty students living within the holding area have the option to attend Sir Arthur Carty, with transportation provided (subject to eligibility).
Additional changes affecting other schools are likely as school enrollment continues to rise.
The LDCSB is the fastest growing Catholic school board in the province. Student population has increased from 18,000 to 26,000 students over the past eight years, and the board continues to welcome new students to our schools every day. Some reports predict that the city of London population will grow from 420,000 almost 650,000 by 2050. If the LDCSB grows at the same rate, the student population could increase to approximately 37,000 students in the same timeframe.
This rapid growth means the LDCSB is facing new challenges. More portable classrooms are being ordered than ever before and spaces in schools are being used in different ways. To date, the LDCSB has initial approval to construct three new schools and is hoping for approval to construct more.