At Pillans Point School, principal Matt Simeon said he was holding seven classes in areas that were not designated classrooms, including the school hall.
"The rate at which schools can get funding or resourcing for new spaces takes some time, so we are always in catch-up mode," he said.
"It's just not isolated to a few schools, it seems to be most."
Otumoetai College principal Dave Randell said he had expected 395 students in Year 9 next year, but enrolments had already hit 410.
"If you are in our zone then we have to take you, but if you're out of zone your enrolment chances are reducing by the day."
Mr Randell said the region would soon need a new secondary school to add to the existing 11. Schools needed facilities to be built in advance of the population growth, and the ministry "had been pro-active, to be fair".
Tauranga Boys' College principal Robert Mangan said he expected a larger roll to cause pressure at the start of next year.
"Creative methods might have to be used to find teaching spaces, such as using the school's youth theatre."
A ministry team visited the school during the week to help with plans to minimise disruption.
Matua Primary School acting principal Craig Wallis said his school had grown at an annual rate of 8 per cent in the past two years, which meant the school needed a new classroom each year.
"Next year we might have to use the hall or library while classrooms are being built."
Bethlehem College principal Eoin Crosbie said infrastructure was lagging behind growth rates and demand in the region.
"Urgent attention" was required to fast-track building and maintain quality learning.
Schools are also facing challenges because of the way population growth is affecting families and students.
Te Puke Intermediate principal Jill Weldon said families were being pushed out of Tauranga and Papamoa, causing housing shortages in areas around her school and pushing up rental prices.
"We have many families living in motor camps in caravans, cabins and even sheds," she said.
"This adds stress to the families and we see the repercussions of this at school. I don't anticipate the situation changing much in 2017 as there is no quick fix."
Although population growth posed challenges for schools, it also had benefits. Two principals said they had no problems recruiting staff.
Education Minister Hekia Parata said a "significant investment" of $18 million had been allocated for a new school in Pyes Pa for 650 students, and $2.5m was earmarked for six new classrooms at schools in the region.
This was in addition to new classrooms that had already been built at five or six other schools.
Ms Parata said the Government was "committed" to providing new classrooms to schools that needed them, at a cost of $300,000 to $400,000 per room.