Surrey Schools tackles growth & embraces change in 2024-25 school year

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As we head into the new school year, Surrey Schools is once again anticipating considerable student population growth, with more than 85,000 students expected in 2024-25.

With 104 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. Based on projections, more than 2,000 new students are anticipated to start at Surrey and White Rock schools this September, increasing the district’s overall enrolment to more than 85,000, up from March’s total of 83,401.

“With another new school year comes new opportunities to engage with students and provide a welcoming, innovative environment for families as they put down roots in Surrey and White Rock,” said Laurie Larsen, Chair of the Surrey Board of Education. “As our district continues to grow rapidly, we uphold our priority to create more student spaces, and we continue to work closely with the Ministry of Education and Child Care to find sustainable solutions to manage enrolment.

“As in previous years, we strive to ensure that our students and staff continue to have access to engaging learning environments where they can work, play and learn.”

What’s new this year?

New schools opening in Surrey

The 2024-25 school year starts with the reopening of Xw’epiteng Elementary, formerly Hall’s Prairie Elementary, and the debut of a new outdoor land-based learning program at the site for kindergarten to Grade 7 students. Pronounced “woh-pee-ten,” the name Xw’epiteng was gifted to the district by Semiahmoo First Nation Chief Harley Chappell and means “place of many rabbits.”

Shortly after, the district will see the opening of Ta’talu Elementary (1970 165A St.), a new school that will create 655 spaces for K-7 students. The 27-classroom school will provide relief to overcrowding at nearby Edgewood Elementary in the rapidly growing neighbourhood of Grandview Heights.

In the Sullivan neighbourhood, construction continues on the new, 27-classroom Snokomish Elementary, scheduled for occupancy in the 2025-26 school year. The three-storey school will create seats for 655 kindergarten to Grade 7 students.

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

Many schools expanding

The district anticipates the opening of additions to Semiahmoo Trail Elementary and South Meridian Elementary in the spring, and of prefabricated additions at Lena Shaw, Walnut Road and Woodland Park elementary schools in the fall and winter months, creating a combined total of 54 classrooms.

Additionally, work is expected to begin on four more prefabricated additions for École Martha Currie, Latimer Road, Old Yale Road and William Watson elementary schools, creating 41 classrooms.

At the secondary level, funding has been announced for additions to Fleetwood Park, Kwantlen Park, Guildford Park and Tamanawis secondary schools, creating a combined 93 classrooms.

Extended day schedules at some secondary schools

This fall, six secondary schools will be implementing extended day schedules, adding a fifth block to the school day to optimize the use of available space & equipment and accommodate more students by spreading the use of the school through the day. Staggering student attendance times increases each school’s capacity by 10-15% and allows schools to meet the needs of their current student population and anticipated growth without compromising the quality of education or the integrity of the learning environment. The schools shifting to the new schedule include Fleetwood Park, Grandview Heights, Kwantlen Park, Lord Tweedsmuir, École Salish and Tamanawis secondary schools.

Other initiatives:

• Meal program expansion – In the coming 2024-25 school year, the district’s meal program will feed 3,600 students lunch at 78 school sites at the outset, while looking to add more. This is an increase of 400 students and 17 schools above last year. The breakfast program will continue serving 1,600 students.
• Personal digital device policy – Following consultation with key partner groups, Surrey Schools developed language to include personal digital device policy in the codes of conduct for all schools beginning in the 2024-2025 school year. The new policy prioritizes safety, and flexibility for students who use their devices for accessibility, connectivity and improving their learning and allows educators to assess how to foster a creative and focused learning environment for their students.
• Racial Equity – The district continues its work on the five-year Racial Equity Strategic Plan to address systemic racial disparities, promote cultural responsiveness and empower every individual within our diverse school communities. Launched last year, the plan outlines four priorities for the district by 2028, including advancing racial equity initiatives, responding to all forms of racism, ongoing education and professional development, and infusing culturally responsive curriculum and resources.
• Accessibility – The Surrey Schools accessibility plan is also well underway, plotting a three-year course for the district to improve the experiences for students, staff, families and community members with disabilities, and provide equitable access to opportunities. The district is gathering feedback through two open-ended surveys, one to provide feedback on the accessibility plan and a second to identify barriers to accessibility in the district.