High School in Canada: Surrey District

Studying in Surrey District means joining the largest state school district in British Columbia, between Vancouver, White Rock and the Pacific coast.

High School programme in Surrey District

Located on the spectacular west coast of Canada, Surrey School District lies around forty minutes south-east of Vancouver and two hours from Seattle. It covers Surrey and White Rock, a seaside community valued for its living environment, its green spaces and its easy access to the city.

The district welcomes international pupils into a network of more than one hundred elementary schools and twenty-one secondary schools, subject to available places. Pupils follow lessons with young Canadians and experience a full school and cultural immersion, with two possible start dates, in September and in February.

Programme key facts

A highly structured state district, suited to pupils who want to combine academic excellence, Canadian local life and the proximity of Vancouver.

Country and province

Canada, British Columbia, in the greater Vancouver region.

Programme type

High School in a state district, with integration into the regular Canadian classes.

Accommodation

Selected host family, to experience local daily life outside school.

District

More than one hundred elementary schools and twenty-one secondary schools, with international supervision.

Student profile

Pupils motivated by English, varied courses and a Canadian experience close to Vancouver.

Why choose Surrey?

Surrey is one of the most dynamic school districts in British Columbia. It offers the balance between a fast-growing city, residential neighbourhoods, the proximity of the sea and quick access to Vancouver.

The district limits the share of international pupils in each school, which encourages genuine immersion with Canadian pupils. Young people benefit from modern resources, science laboratories, sports facilities, spaces dedicated to the arts and solid academic support.

The district schools

Pupils are placed in a secondary school of Surrey District according to their profile, their level, the places available and the subjects they want. The district welcomes more than 75 000 Canadian pupils and several hundred international pupils, in an organised and monitored setting.

The secondary schools offer a complete Canadian environment: academic courses, electives, sporting activities, clubs and school projects. The aim is to allow each pupil to make progress in English while building a strong personal experience.

Courses, subjects and options

The programme is based on the core subjects of the Canadian system: English, mathematics, sciences, humanities and languages. Pupils can also access a wide choice of options, depending on their school and their level.

technology, computing and media;
business, economics and career preparation;
visual arts, performing arts and music;
physical education, sport and well-being;
English support lessons if necessary.

Academic

The schools of Surrey combine compulsory courses and specialist options. International pupils join the regular classes with suitable support.

Arts and creativity

The schools have spaces dedicated to the arts, music, drama, visual arts and creative projects.

Technology and projects

Depending on the school, pupils can explore technology, media, business, trades and career preparation projects.

Sports and activities

The sports facilities and clubs make it possible to take part in Canadian school life beyond the lessons.

A very wide choice of courses

The diversity of Surrey District allows pupils to build a balanced programme. Academic subjects are complemented by electives in technology, business, fine arts, trades, physical activities and school projects.

Each placement depends on the pupil's application, their level of English, their objectives and availability in the district's schools.

Life on site

Surrey and White Rock offer a very complete Canadian living environment: residential neighbourhoods, natural areas, access to the sea, cultural activities and the proximity of Vancouver. The host family helps the pupil to fit into local daily life and to practise English outside school.

Discover Surrey District

This video presents the school environment and the opportunities offered to international pupils in Surrey School District.

District images

An overview of the school environment offered to international pupils in Surrey.

Secondary school in Surrey District — Modern school facilities in the Vancouver region.

School life in Surrey — Only one reliable Surrey photo was kept from the source; it is reused in order to keep an editable gallery without inventing any media.

Move and Study support

Move and Study supports the choice of programme, the preparation of the application, the exchanges with the district and the stages before departure.

High School Canada project

Preparing a High School project in Surrey

An adviser can help you check the dates, the requirements, the application and the availability of the district.

Request a High School information pack