Catchment Updates
Catchment Boundary Changes for September 2025
At the public Board meeting on November 26, Comox Valley Schools officially approved new boundary catchment adjustments for four elementary schools:
- Airport Elementary
- Aspen Park Elementary
- Brooklyn Elementary
- Valley View Elementary
These changes will come into effect in time for Kindergarten registration in January.
Summary
Comox Valley Schools has updated the school boundary catchments of Brooklyn, Valley View, Aspen Park and Airport elementary schools for the 2025-2026 school year.
It should be noted that no students currently enrolled in a school will be moving to another school as a result of these changes.
These adjustments are necessary to address enrolment pressures and ensure students have access to equitable resources and learning environments across the district.
As we continue to experience growth, our goal is to maintain balanced enrolment while accommodating future needs.
These changes will apply to future students, and we’ll also be making accommodations for families who have siblings or inclusivity needs.
Families have already expressed a desire for many of these changes as they have registered their children for school.
Why Are Changes Needed?
In recent years, several schools within our district have seen significant enrolment increases, leading to challenges in facility management. The following factors are driving the changes:
Population Growth: The community has been growing, leading to over capacity in certain schools. There are also several large new developments planned near these schools.
Infrastructure Limitations: Some schools are reaching or exceeding their building capacity, creating strain on available space and resources and requiring the district to apply operating funding into portables. This takes away from what can be invested into classrooms.
Long-term Planning: To ensure sustainable enrolment and optimal use of school facilities, boundary changes are being made to balance enrolments.
What Was Considered?
Current and Projected Enrolment: Data on enrolment trends and projections for growth over the coming years.
Impact on Families: We are committed to minimizing disruptions to students and families while making necessary adjustments. No current students will be impacted by these proposed catchment adjustments.
Transportation Considerations: Ensuring changes do not adversely affect students’ ability to travel safely and efficiently to and from school.
Community Feedback: Input from parents, guardians, and community members was an essential part of this process.
Throughout the review process, we gathered feedback from the school community and stakeholders.
Catchment Boundary Changes
For a detailed description and map of the school catchment changes for each school, please click on the tab with the school’s name seen below:
Capacity (excluding existing portables and room modifications):
318
Current Enrolment:
199
Details:
- Families living in the new development off Aspen Road in Comox, as well as others off of Idiens Way, are currently either taking a bus to Airport or have requested cross catchment moves to attend Aspen Park Elementary.
- A large new development is moving forward off Aspen Road, and the walk to Aspen Park is quite short compared to the bus students currently take.
- By moving the boundary from Aspen Road and parts of Idiens Way, fewer students will require busing in the future from this area.
- This change means that any students eventually living in the new development on Pritchard Road past Cambridge Road will attend Airport Elementary, where there is some capacity compared to Brooklyn Elementary.
Timeline for the Process
- October 18 – November 8: Information and Feedback Portal open to the public.
- October 22: Regular Public Board Meeting for information.
- November 12: Committee of the Whole meeting on community feedback themes.
- November 26: Regular Public Board Meeting – final Board review and approval.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a catchment boundary? |
Every school in the Comox Valley School District has a catchment boundary. A catchment boundary determines which students in a geographical area are eligible to attend a specific school. More specifically, each residential address in the District is linked to a school catchment. |
Will my child need to change schools because of these catchment updates? |
No, current students will not be required to move schools because of the catchment boundary updates. However, if families prefer their child to attend the newly assigned catchment school, they can request a cross-boundary transfer, which will be reviewed accordingly. |
My youngest child is not yet enrolled but would like to attend school with their older sibling. Is that possible with the catchment changes? |
Yes, siblings can stay together. When registering a younger sibling, families can indicate this preference, and we will make efforts to place them in the same school as their sibling. |
What if I have concerns about the proposed boundary changes? Who can I contact? |
For any concerns, please email communications@sd71.bc.ca or contact your school’s principal. We are here to support and address your questions. |
Will these changes affect my child’s path to secondary school? |
No, the current changes are for elementary school catchments only and do not impact secondary school catchments. |
Are other schools likely to undergo catchment boundary adjustments in the future? |
Comox Valley Schools regularly assesses enrollment and capacity at all schools. While no additional changes are planned at this time, future adjustments will be considered if necessary. |
My child currently attends school outside our catchment. Will they need to change schools? |
No, students who have already received an out-of-catchment transfer approval will not need to reapply or transfer due to these updates. |
Valley View Elementary is already quite full, why are you proposing expanding the catchment and adding more students? |
Valley View Elementary is slightly under its operating capacity. Presently, elementary-aged children living in Valley View’s proposed catchment area are already being granted cross-catchment transfer to Valley View Elementary. We do not anticipate the proposed boundary will add significantly to the school’s numbers. |
Will there be busing available for families living near Superstore so they can get to Valley View? |
The District does not plan on adding a bus service to Valley View Elementary. The proposed change will make for a shorter, more direct route for families than if they were to remain under Aspen Park Elementary’s existing catchment. |
We currently live in catchment where my child takes the bus. The proposed map has us now in a new catchment. My questions is when we stay at our current school how will this impact our bus? |
For the families currently living in Airport Elementary’s catchment who would fall under the proposed Aspen Park Elementary catchment; whose kids currently attend and wish to continue to go to Airport Elementary a legacy bus service would be provided. |