Surrey BC High Schools: A Look at Secondary School Options in the Surrey Area

A major consideration for any family considering a move to a new home is the educational options nearby. The reputation of local schools, proximity to the new home, or access of unique programs are all important – especially at the secondary school level, as teenagers prepare for university or the working world beyond.
Here’s a closer look at some of the Surrey BC high schools available to local residents.

Surrey Boasts Several Public High Schools to Choose From

The Surrey school district is the largest public school district in the province of BC. While many districts have seen shrinking enrolment, Surrey continues to grow – in all, there are 123 schools for kindergarten to Grade 12 students, 19 of which are secondary schools. Among those are unique programs for students interested in specializing in one area or another – for example, fine arts or athletics, an array of trades program, or in a language immersion program. Though most students register for the school in their catchment area, education policy in BC allows for cross-catchment registration, allowing students and families to choose which school will best match their individual needs. See www.surreyschools.ca for more information about cross-catchment registration.

Independent Schools Offer Alternative Choices

Within the Surrey city boundaries are more than 20 independent schools. Also known as private schools, these institutions represent of spectrum of options, many of which are religious schools, including Catholic schools, an Islamic school and a Khalsa school, to name just a few. A full list of private school options is available at the Federation of Independent School Associations’ website at www.fisabc.ca. Some families prefer a private school setting because it may offer smaller class sizes, or because of a different philosophical approach to education such as that offered by Montessori schools.

Look to Neighbouring Districts for Even More Options

One of the reasons that Surrey real estate has become so popular is the central location of the growing city. With Delta to the west, Langley to the east and New West, Burnaby and the Tri-Cities to the north over the Fraser River, the city is truly the centre of the region. That’s convenient for several reasons – among them, the fact that a student interested in a unique program or particular school in another district has the option to seek registration outside their own home community. With improved transit options, it’s easier than ever for a high school student to travel out of district to attend a school in a neighbouring community.

Families with students in, or approaching, high school have plenty of options available to them in the Surrey area. While many students prefer to attend the public school closest to their home, the flexibility of BC policy allows students to choose a school from across the entire city, or even in neighbouring districts, provide an array of choices for families to find the right fit in public education. Alternatively, the various institutions that offer private and independent education give even more options for families settling in Surrey. No matter your child’s educational needs, the array of choice in Surrey BC high schools is sure to offer a great option for your family.