The Best Secondary Schools in Surrey, BC: A Complete Guide

Are you searching for the best schools in Surrey, BC, to ensure your children receive the highest quality education? Whether you’re planning a move to the area or already live here and want to learn more about the school system, this guide is for you! In this article, I’ll walk through seven Surrey secondary schools that are highly regarded by both parents and students. They’re in no order, and they’re based solely on my own opinions and research, so please take everything with a grain of salt.

 

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Why Surrey, BC is a Great Place for Education

Surrey is home to District 36, the largest school district in British Columbia. It offers a range of excellent public and private schools, providing high-quality education to students from Grades K to 12. This guide will focus on secondary schools (Grades 8-12) and highlight what makes each of them a great choice.

Here’s the scale you’re dealing with. Surrey Schools runs 21 secondary schools, and in September 2025 their populations ran from 1,180 to 2,093 students, so the smallest high school in the district is still a big school. The district counted 76,977 K-12 students at the September 30, 2025 funding count, down 871 from 77,848 the year before. Surrey Schools called that a significant departure, because outside of COVID the district hadn’t seen enrolment fall since before 2000, and it expects the decline to continue. If you’re buying a home partly for a catchment, that’s the direction of travel worth knowing. Sources: the Surrey Schools fact sheet for 2025/2026 and the district’s October 15, 2025 enrolment report.

 

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Top 7 Secondary Schools in Surrey, BC

These are in no order. The numbers below are for reference only, not a ranking.

1. Fraser Heights Secondary

📍 Location: Fraser Heights, Guildford Community

📊 Fraser Institute 2018/2019: 58th of 252 BC secondary schools, rating 7.1 out of 10.

Why Fraser Heights Stands Out:

• Offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses and a strong science and math curriculum.
• Joint Science Academy program with Simon Fraser University (SFU).
• Recognized among Canada’s top 50 secondary schools for student success.
• Strong extracurricular scene, including debate teams and sports programs.

Fraser Heights is an excellent choice for academically driven students who want to take AP courses or prepare for top universities like Harvard, Yale, and UC Berkeley.

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2. Elgin Park Secondary

📍 Location: Elgin Chantrell, South Surrey

📊 Fraser Institute 2018/2019: 82nd of 252 BC secondary schools, rating 6.7 out of 10.

Key Highlights:

• Offers a wide range of AP courses and integrated programs.
• Excellent fine arts, drama, and music programs.
• Smaller student population (~1,400 students) allows for personalized learning.
• High parent engagement through Parent Advisory Council (PAC).

Elgin Park is ideal for students looking for a balance of academics, arts, and community engagement.

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3. Fleetwood Park Secondary

📍 Location: Fleetwood Community

📊 Fraser Institute 2018/2019: 63rd of 252 BC secondary schools, rating 7.0 out of 10.

What Makes Fleetwood Park Great:

• Strong sports programs with multiple championship-winning teams.
• Advanced Placement (AP) courses and specialized career programs.
• Diverse student body with an inclusive school culture.
• Renowned fine arts and technical programs (auto mechanics, woodworking, etc.).

Fleetwood Park is a well-rounded school with a strong sense of community and extracurricular involvement. Full disclosure: I grew up in Fleetwood and went to Fleetwood Park myself, so I’m a little biased on this one.

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4. Semiahmoo Secondary

📍 Location: Sunnyside Park, South Surrey

📊 Fraser Institute 2018/2019: 55th of 252 BC secondary schools, rating 7.2 out of 10. The highest-rated public secondary school in Surrey in that edition.

Why Choose Semiahmoo?

• One of the oldest International Baccalaureate (IB) schools in BC (since 1980).
• Offers a comprehensive music and jazz band program.
• Access to South Surrey Athletic Park for elite sports training.
• Strong history of academic excellence and university placement.

For students interested in the IB program and high academic achievement, Semiahmoo is a top contender.

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5. Earl Marriott Secondary

📍 Location: King George Corridor, South Surrey

📊 Fraser Institute 2018/2019: 131st of 252 BC secondary schools, rating 5.9 out of 10.

What Sets Earl Marriott Apart?

• One of the few schools offering a French Immersion program. Worth knowing: when I filmed this, only about 30% of students there were working toward a full bilingual diploma.
• Strong performing arts and theatre programs.
• Close ties with the Semiahmoo First Nation for cultural education.
• AP courses available for students aiming for post-secondary preparation.

Earl Marriott is a fantastic choice for students interested in bilingual education and arts programs.

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6. Grandview Heights Secondary

📍 Location: Grandview Heights, South Surrey

📊 No Fraser Institute rating. The most recent BC secondary report card scores the 2018/2019 school year, before this school opened.

Notable Features:

• Opened in 2021, featuring state-of-the-art learning facilities.
• Offers cutting-edge STEM, tech, and art programs.
• High-tech library and innovative learning spaces.
• Strong focus on sports and community engagement.

Grandview Heights is perfect for students looking for modern educational environments and technology integration.

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7. École Salish Secondary

📍 Location: Clayton, Cloverdale Community

📊 No Fraser Institute rating. The most recent BC secondary report card scores the 2018/2019 school year, which was this school’s first.

Why École Salish is Unique:

• Offers both English and French Immersion programs.
• Built with advanced digital technology for modern learning.
• Features open-concept classrooms and flexible workspaces.
• Focuses on student-centred and environmental sustainability.

This school is great for students looking for a bilingual education in a forward-thinking, innovative learning space. One caveat: it was built for 1,500 students and was still running well under that when I filmed this, closer to 1,100.

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All 21 Surrey Secondary Schools, And Where They Actually Rank

My 7 above are picks, not a ranking. But nearly everyone researching this ends up at the same third-party list, so here it is in full, along with the catch that comes with it.

The ranking people mean is the Fraser Institute’s Report Card on British Columbia’s Secondary Schools. Here’s the thing nobody tells you about it: the most recent BC secondary edition is the 2020 report card, and it scores the 2018/2019 school year. The Fraser Institute still puts out fresh secondary rankings for Ontario, Quebec and Alberta, and a fresh BC elementary report card every year, but the BC secondary list hasn’t been updated. So every number below is 2018/2019 data. Treat it as history, not as this year’s report card. I walk through how to read these properly in my guide to the Fraser Institute school rankings.

Rank and rating: Fraser Institute, Report Card on British Columbia’s Secondary Schools 2020, covering the 2018/2019 school year, 252 BC secondary schools ranked. Ties share a rank. École Salish and Grandview Heights are too new to appear in that edition. School count and areas: Surrey Schools, 2025/2026. This is the district’s 21 public secondary schools only.

Two things that table won’t tell you. The 1st is that it’s public schools only. In the same 2018/2019 edition, Surrey’s independent schools placed Southridge 1st in the entire province at 10.0, Pacific Academy 14th at 8.7, Holy Cross 72nd at 6.8, Surrey Christian 98th at 6.4, Regent Christian 167th at 5.3 and Khalsa 214th at 4.4. So when you see Semiahmoo called the best high school in Surrey, what’s meant is the best public one.

The 2nd is what the rating actually measures. Average exam mark and percentage of exams failed make up half the score on their own, and the rest is graduation rate, delayed advancement and a language arts gender gap. It’s an exam-output score. It doesn’t measure whether your kid will be happy there, whether the shop or the band program is any good, or how far they’ll be walking in February.

So here’s who should ignore this table. If your kid is university-bound and tests well, and the school is a real reason you’re choosing a neighbourhood, the top of the list is telling you something worth paying for. If your kid is a trades kid, an arts kid or an athlete, the rank is close to noise, and Fleetwood Park at 63rd or Enver Creek at 152nd could be a much better 5 years than Semiahmoo at 55th. Look at the programs, then look at the rank. Not the other way around.

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Final Thoughts

The best secondary school for your child depends on their academic interests, extracurricular preferences, and learning style. Whether they’re interested in IB, AP, STEM, arts, or sports, Surrey’s top schools provide fantastic opportunities for student success.

These seven are examples, not a complete list. Surrey has plenty of other strong secondary schools, so if the one you were looking for isn’t here, that doesn’t make it a bad school.

It’s important to remember that the school your child attends can truly shape their future. The right environment can open doors to top universities, competitive scholarships, and lifelong opportunities, while the wrong fit might limit access to resources, programs, and experiences that help students thrive.

Take time to consider what matters most for your child’s growth: academic rigour, artistic exploration, athletic development, or a supportive community. Surrey’s diverse schools ensure that, whatever your child’s path, there’s a place where they can excel and reach their full potential.

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which secondary school in Surrey BC is best for academics?

For university-bound students, Fraser Heights Secondary and Semiahmoo Secondary come up first. Fraser Heights offers AP courses, a Joint Science Academy with SFU and has been recognized among Canada’s top 50 secondary schools. Semiahmoo has run the International Baccalaureate program since 1980, one of the oldest IB schools in BC.

Which Surrey high schools offer French Immersion?

Earl Marriott Secondary in South Surrey and École Salish Secondary in Clayton both offer French Immersion alongside English programs. One thing worth knowing: when I filmed the video, only about 30% of Earl Marriott students were working toward a full bilingual diploma, so ask the school what the program looks like today.

Does Surrey have an IB school?

Yes. Semiahmoo Secondary in Sunnyside Park, South Surrey, is one of the oldest International Baccalaureate schools in BC and has offered the IB program since 1980. It also has a strong music and jazz band program and access to South Surrey Athletic Park.

What is the newest secondary school in Surrey?

Grandview Heights Secondary in South Surrey opened in 2021 with modern STEM, tech and arts programs, a high-tech library and flexible learning spaces. École Salish Secondary in Clayton is also a newer build, designed for 1,500 students with open-concept classrooms, and was running closer to 1,100 students when I filmed.

Are these 7 schools ranked in order?

No. The numbers are for reference only, not a ranking. The list is based on my own research and opinion as a Surrey realtor and former Fleetwood Park student, so take it as a starting point, not a verdict. Surrey has plenty of other strong secondary schools that didn’t make this list.

Which South Surrey high schools made the list?

4 of the 7 are in South Surrey: Elgin Park Secondary in Elgin Chantrell, Semiahmoo Secondary in Sunnyside Park, Earl Marriott Secondary on the King George Corridor, and Grandview Heights Secondary in Grandview Heights. Fraser Heights, Fleetwood Park and École Salish cover the north and east sides of the city.

How big is the Surrey school district?

Surrey is School District 36, the largest school district in British Columbia, with public and private options from kindergarten to Grade 12. This guide covers secondary schools only, which in BC means Grades 8 to 12. I have a separate post on Surrey elementary schools.

Which Surrey secondary school has the highest Fraser Institute rating?

Among public schools, Semiahmoo Secondary in South Surrey, at 7.2 out of 10 and 55th of 252 BC secondary schools. Fraser Heights was next at 7.1 and 58th, then Fleetwood Park and Johnston Heights tied at 7.0 and 63rd. Counting independent schools, Southridge in South Surrey took 1st in the province at 10.0. All of those come from the Fraser Institute’s 2020 report card, which scores the 2018/2019 school year and is still the most recent BC secondary edition.

How many secondary schools are there in Surrey?

21 public secondary schools, plus 2 student learning centres, 3 adult education centres and 1 online and distance learning school. In September 2025 the secondary school populations ran from 1,180 to 2,093 students, per the Surrey Schools fact sheet for 2025/2026. Surrey also has several independent secondary schools, including Southridge, Pacific Academy, Holy Cross, Surrey Christian and Regent Christian. The full list of all 21 public ones, with ranks, is in the table above.

Are the Fraser Institute BC high school rankings up to date?

No. The most recent Report Card on British Columbia’s Secondary Schools is the 2020 edition, and it scores the 2018/2019 school year. The Fraser Institute has kept publishing annual secondary rankings for Ontario, Quebec and Alberta, and an annual BC elementary report card, but the BC secondary list hasn’t been refreshed. Any BC high school ranking you see quoted, including the ones on this page, traces back to 2018/2019 results.

How do I find which Surrey secondary school my address is in catchment for?

Use the school locator on the Surrey Schools site and put in the exact address, rather than trusting a listing description. Catchments get redrawn, and a home that fed one school 3 years ago might not today. If a catchment is a real reason you’re buying a particular house, confirm it with the district before you write the offer, not after.

If you’re weighing Surrey against the cities next door, I’ve done the same walkthrough for Langley secondary schools and Maple Ridge high schools. Worth reading side by side before you settle on a city, because the school shortlist and what you’ll pay to live in a given catchment aren’t the same conversation in all 3.

If you’re considering moving to Surrey and want to explore which neighbourhoods would suit you best, I’d be happy to help!

 

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