Grade 9 population doubled at Martin Collegiate in 2015

Student enrolment at Regina's Martin Collegiate is booming.

For years,theRosemont-areahigh school suffered fromlow student enrolment.By the end of 2013, the school had onlyaround 300 students.

Now, thanks to new boundaryrules and an innovative sports program, PrincipalLisa Allen says she's seeing a real increasein student numbers.

The grade nine class is twice as big as last year's class and theschool population now sits at about565 students.

The first bumphappened with the introduction of Martin Academy in 2014.It's a sports program where participants have high performance training sessions woveninto their school week. Aday 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 broaderathletic stream for students who trainin sports that take a lot of time and dedication such asgymnastics, figure skating and water polo.

Many new students, particularly those in grade ninenow attend Martin because of recent boundary changes made by Regina Public Schools. In the past, elementary students could choose which high school they wouldattend. Starting this school year, students have had toattend the high school thatis 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 saidthey've been able to addband, choir, drama, calculus, information processing and accounting programs.

Allen expects the student populationto rise to 700next year.