Langley had the second-highest increase in school enrolment in B.C. this year, according to provincial statistics.
In 2016, 42 of the provinces’s 60 school districts saw increases, while 18 saw declines.
Langley had an increase of 697 students in 2016. Surrey was the only district that had a higher enrolment increase, of 993 students.
Last year, Langley’s enrolment increased by 340 students.
Abbotsford had 484 new students, Sooke, 572, and Comox 427.
Langley has experienced a high rate of population growth, as Willoughby sees a large amount of home construction.
Between January and November this year, Langley Township saw 1,625 homes built. More than two thirds, 1,086, were in Willoughby. Langley Township building permit statistics showed that 836 were multi-family structures, either condos or townhouses, while 405 were single family homes, and 352 were secondary suites.