Enrolment in independent schools across Canada has surged by nearly half since the start of the millennium, now accounting for a significantly larger share of total K-12 students, while public school enrolment has declined slightly over the same period. The shift reflects broader trends in parental school choice, raising questions about funding models and the future of publicly funded education. Data from the Fraser Institute highlights the growing divide between the two sectors, with independent schools gaining ground as public school numbers continue a gradual downward trend. The findings offer insight into evolving educational preferences and their potential implications for policy and resource allocation.
Fraser Institute - As share of total K-12 enrolment nationwide, independent school enrolment up 45%, public school enrolment down 3.7% since 2000/01 educationnewscanada.com
