Rutherford elementary school will welcome students back on Tuesday, reopening for the 2025/26 school year. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

new school

Nanaimo’s Rutherford school population far surpasses expectations

Aug 29, 2025 | 5:30 AM

NANAIMO — While creating new catchment boundaries feeding into Rutherford Elementary School was a contentious task, many more students than initially thought will attend the north end school.

Closed since the end of the 2017/18 school year, Rutherford Elementary School officially re-opens on Tuesday, Sept. 2 to take much-needed pressure off over-subscribed neighbouring elementary schools.

Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools (SD68) communications director Gillian Robinson said 274 students are signed-up to attend the K-7 school, beyond their estimate of around 200.

Catchment boundary shifts funneled most of the new students to Rutherford school.

“We’ve also seen that we’ve had many new families move into the Rutherford area, so the enrollment at Rutherford elementary is very strong, it’s going to be a very robust school community, and it’s definitely more students than we anticipated having there,” Robinson told NanaimoNewsNOW.

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Citing the school is still below capacity, Rutherford contains room to accept more students as north Nanaimo population growth continues in the future, Robinson noted.

She said the largest grade cohort is 50 sixth graders, while only 18 grade seven students will attend the school.

Rutherford school will contain 12 classrooms, with a total of 37 staff.

Rutherford Elementary will welcome more students than first expected for the 2025/26 school year. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Robinson said about $1.8 million in capital upgrades in two phases was spent enhancing Rutherford school, including to accommodate Pleasant Valley students during the 2021/22 school year as seismic upgrades were taking place at that school.

She noted “finishing touches” are continuing as crews conclude work at Rutherford school.

“Everyone’s been working really hard to work toward the re-opening of Rutherford and bring the school community together,” Robinson said. “What parents and students will see when they go to school next Tuesday is a really fresh, welcoming and exciting school environment.”

Interior classroom renovations, flooring, PA system upgrades, painting, exterior siding and furnace replacements are among second phase investments, Robinson said.

Heating, cooling, ventilation and electrical upgrades were also previously completed.

Eleven students are enrolled in a new specialized SD68 learning initiate based in Rutherford school called the Rise (Resilience, Inclusion, Skills and Engagement).

The program is geared toward students facing ongoing barriers in participating in a traditional classroom environment.

Notably, an SD68-operated before and after school program is established at Rutherford.

“It’s such a great benefit for kids and a huge bonus for families that have the opportunity to access these on-site before and after school programs, Robinson said, who added 50 students are enrolled in the nearly fully subscribed program.

Since Rutherford school lacks vehicular drop-off and pick-up space, parents and students are encouraged to walk or ride bikes/scooters to the school if possible.

Rutherford school’s principal is Mike Lundine, who previously served the same role at Rock City Elementary School.

Rutherford school’s new nickname is ‘Rams’, replacing the old name ‘Roadrunners.’

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