Classes began Wednesday for thousands of English-language students in and around Montreal.
Although enrolment dipped slightly throughout the Lester B. Pearson board, as has been the case every year for many years, the number of students attending Lakeside Academy grew this year.
That's very good news for the Lachine school that was threatened with closure.
Last year the Lester B. Pearson school board voted to close Lakeside and Verdun's Riverview Elementary, but rescinded that decision in June.
That was due in part to the boost in enrolment, with 93 students entering Grade 7 -- about twice as many as anticipated.
Thirty more students joined the school in other grade levels.
Students like Emmanuel, entering Grade 7, were nervous.
"It was actually quite hard to get to sleep, and this morning, I was really tired. And looking forward to it," he said.
Konstantinos, who is in the fifth year of the International Baccalaureate program, said newcomers had nothing to worry about.
"Don't be nervous at all. The teachers will help you as much as they can. All the Grade elevens will help you as much as they can. Don't get nervous at all. It's a wonderful school," said Konstantinos.
Principal Kathleen O'Reilly said it's a strong sign of community involvement, and because Lakeside is the only English-language high school in Lachine and Dorval.
"The community was so involved that they believed that we should be having an English high school in Lachine to cater to Lachine and Dorval, so I think the community stood behind us in saying you know what, we're going to send our kids there and to make sure that we stay viable," said O'Reilly.
"This is a fresh start, a new beginning and a chance for us to begin implementing all the excellent programs and plans we have for this school."
In March the school was listed as a Community Learning Centre, which means that in addition to teaching students, the school is a centre for the community at large.
