Surrey Schools is living up to its name as B.C.'s largest school district, anticipating considerable growth throughout this school year in terms of both student population and new schools and additions.
Approximately 1,000 new students are expected to start at Surrey and White Rock schools this September, bringing the district's overall enrolment close to 77,000 students.
"As our district continues to grow at an accelerated pace, we continue to work to provide more school and classroom space for our students and staff to work, play and learn," said Surrey Board of Education Chair Laurie Larsen. "The district works diligently with the Ministry of Education to manage enrolment growth and meet the needs for new schools and additions for our school communities."
The 2022-23 school year starts with the highly anticipated opening of Regent Road Elementary, located at 18711 74 Ave. The three-storey school has 27 classrooms for 650 kindergarten to Grade 7 students in the rapidly growing Clayton Heights area, taking on the student population from Clayton Elementary and further reducing the need for portables at nearby Hazelgrove Elementary and Katzie Elementary.
A new four-storey, 28-classroom addition is also set to open at Sullivan Heights Secondary, adding 700 seats for secondary students in the Sullivan neighbourhood and bringing the school's total number of classrooms to 68. The addition will include a gym, junior shop, multi-purpose spaces, and science, computer and maker labs.
In October, expansions are scheduled to open at Sunnyside Elementary and White Rock Elementary, creating space for 450 additional students between the two schools. Sunnyside will receive 10 new classrooms while White Rock will have eight new classrooms.
Eight-classroom additions are also set to open at Morgan Elementary and K.B. Woodward Elementary in March 2023 and July 2023, respectively, adding 400 student spaces to the district.
Future projects in the works
The much-anticipated Ta'talu Elementary is now under construction, scheduled for occupancy in fall 2024 for 650 students in the fast-growing Grandview neighbourhood.
An eight-classroom addition at South Meridian Elementary and a 10-classroom addition at Semiahmoo Trail Elementary are in planning and design phases, both with openings planned in fall 2024.
Farther north, the 27-classroom Snokomish Elementary in the Sullivan area is also in the planning stages, with an anticipated opening slated for spring 2025.
For the latest on the progress of new schools and additions in Surrey & White Rock, see our School Construction Progress Chart.
