So far, the number of students attending Langley schools is holding steady.
New figures presented to the school board Tuesday showed a modest overall increase, with fast-growing areas like the Willoughby neighbourhood compensating for declining areas in Aldergrove and Poppy.
As of Sept. 12, there were 18,622 full- and part-time students, about 133 more than expected.
The number of elementary and alternate school students was up while secondary schools and middle schools were down.
But those numbers will fluctuate over the coming weeks and months and the overall direction will likely be downward, trustees were warned.
"It is a reality," Supt. Cheryle Beaumont said.
Right now, she noted, there are 1,500 students preparing to graduate from Langley secondary schools.
Coming up behind them is a smaller group of 1,300 students who just started Kindergarten.
Student head counts are important because they decide how much money the district gets from the provincial government.