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Enrolment is slightly below projections this school year in the Central Okanagan School District.

Figures released by Supt. Kevin Kaardal show the district is up 259 students from last year. They had been forecasting an increase of 325.

"I think that's the key message. We planned for space for more than that and, that is actually good. It's not going to impact our budget because we haven't got the money yet, it's always based on the Sept. 30 numbers," said Kaardal.

"The number may go up or down a little bit, but we're at 22,502 as of Sept. 22."

Kaardal says they are below target partly because the district has not finished calculating all of the alternate education students.

He admits that can take some time.

Detailed figures show high schools are 13 students above forecast, middle schools are 40 students below and elementary schools 51 below what was projected.

French Immersion schools have 90 more students than a year ago while Kaardal says the transition to French Immersion at Dr. Knox Middle School has gone smoothly.

Schools in Rutland have seen the largest decline with 72 fewer students than a year ago while the Okanagan Mission has the largest increase with 49 more students enroled.

"We are the fifth largest district in the province and we continue to grow and, that's very positive.

"It's a good place to be."