Surrey Schools grows to nearly 80,000 students for 2023-24 school year

It's the first day of school for nearly 80,000 students in Surrey and White Rock! The district continues to see rapid enrolment growth heading as students and teachers start the 2023-24 school year. (Image via iStock)

As another school year begins, the Surrey School District is once again anticipating considerable student population growth, with nearly 80,000 students expected in 2023-24.

With 103 elementary schools, 21 secondary schools, five learning centres and one online school, Surrey Schools is the largest and fastest growing school district in British Columbia. More than 2,500 new students are expected to start at Surrey and White Rock schools this September, increasing the district’s overall enrolment to almost 80,000 from last year’s total of 77,300.

“We are excited to welcome so many families to our vibrant community and look forward to a year filled with learning, opportunity, friendship and fun,” said Laurie Larsen, Chair of the Surrey Board of Education. “Our district continues to grow rapidly, and advocating for additional school and classroom space remains a top priority for our board.

“We are working closely with the Ministry of Education and Child Care to ensure we can find sustainable solutions to address this growth so our students and staff continue to have access to engaging learning environments where they can work, play and learn.”

The 2023-24 school year will see the opening of a new addition to École K.B. Woodward Elementary, located at 13130 106 Ave. The eight-classroom expansion creates 240 new student spaces, increasing the school’s capacity to 730 students and reducing the need for portables.

Throughout the school year, construction will continue on Ta’talu Elementary (1970 165A St.), a new school that will create 655 spaces for kindergarten to Grade 7 students. Construction also began during the summer on an eight-classroom addition to South Meridian Elementary (16244 13 Ave.), as well as a 10-classroom addition at Semiahmoo Trail Elementary (3040 145A St.). All three projects are slated to be ready for students during the 2024-25 school year.

It’s also anticipated ground will be broken imminently on the new, 27-classroom Snokomish Elementary in the Sullivan neighbourhood.

For the latest on the progress of new schools and additions in Surrey & White Rock, see our School Construction Progress Chart.