Grade 9 population doubled at Martin Collegiate in 2015

Student enrolment at Regina's Martin Collegiate is booming.

For years, the Rosemont-area high school suffered from low student enrolment. By the end of 2013, the school had only around 300 students.

Now, thanks to new boundary rules and an innovative sports program, Principal Lisa Allen says she's seeing a real increase in student numbers.

The grade nine class is twice as big as last year's class and the school population now sits at about 565 students. 

The first bump happened with the introduction of Martin Academy in 2014. It's a sports program where participants have high performance training sessions woven into their school week. A day at school might include math and English but also power skating.

Students in this program can specialize in hockey, baseball or softball. There is also a broader athletic stream for students who train in sports that take a lot of time and dedication such as gymnastics, figure skating and water polo. 

 Many new students, particularly those in grade nine now attend Martin because of recent boundary changes made by Regina Public Schools. In the past, elementary students could choose which high school they would attend. Starting this school year, students have had to attend the high school that is generally closest to their home address, with some exceptions.
 
"It's been an awesome adjustment where we have many more students which equals many more programs," Allen said.  Because of the higher enrolment, Allen said they've been able to add band, choir, drama, calculus, information processing and accounting programs. 

Allen expects the student population to rise to 700 next year.