Top 7 BEST Elementary Schools in Surrey BC

by Alex Dunbar

Top 7 Elementary Schools in Surrey, BC 🏫📚

The 7 Surrey BC elementary schools that come up most with the families I work with are Sunnyside, Frost Road, Walnut Road, South Meridian, Pacific Heights, Hazelgrove and Semiahmoo Trail. They cluster in South Surrey, Fleetwood, Grandview Heights and Clayton Heights, and share 3 things: strong literacy and numeracy, real social-emotional learning, and parents who show up.

If you're planning to move to Surrey, BC and have young kids, or you're planning to start a family, choosing the right elementary school is probably at the top of your list. As a local realtor who's lived in Surrey for over 30 years, and with my wife being an elementary school teacher in the Surrey School District, I’m here to share some valuable insights. In this post, we’ll cover 7 of the top-rated elementary schools in Surrey and what makes each one unique.

🌞 Sunnyside Elementary (South Surrey)

Located in the heart of the Sunnyside neighbourhood in South Surrey, Sunnyside Elementary is highly sought after for its strong academic performance and inclusive culture.

By the numbers: ranked 399 of 1015 BC elementary schools, with an overall rating of 6.3 out of 10. Its 5-year average is 6.0.

Why Parents Love It:

Emphasis on literacy and numeracy
Diverse student body with strong social-emotional learning (SEL) programs
Extracurriculars like sports, clubs, and community-based events
Active parent involvement and community partnerships

Sunnyside truly reflects the area’s mix of new and established families. You’ll find a welcoming atmosphere and a staff committed to supporting both academic and emotional growth, especially important with so many kids navigating new languages and cultures.

🏞️ Frost Road Elementary (Fleetwood)

Frost Road Elementary in Fleetwood is known for its high-quality instruction and student support systems.

By the numbers: ranked 261 of 1015 BC elementary schools, with an overall rating of 6.9 out of 10. Its 5-year average is 6.6.

Highlights:

Focus on differentiated instruction and academic excellence
Strong SEL programs that promote empathy and resilience
Numerous extracurriculars including sports and creative clubs
Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) plays a key role in school life

What sets Frost Road apart is the depth of its community engagement and the diversity of its student body. The PAC is not just active in fundraising, but in academic planning and organizing workshops for parents, creating a bridge between home and school that directly benefits student success.

🌳 Walnut Road Elementary (Fleetwood)

Also in Fleetwood, Walnut Road stands out with its personalized learning approach and a strong sense of community.

By the numbers: ranked 204 of 1015 BC elementary schools, with an overall rating of 7.3 out of 10. Its 5-year average is 7.5.

What Stands Out:

Comprehensive curriculum prioritizing literacy and numeracy
Inclusive environment with multicultural programs
Student leadership and community outreach opportunities
Parents are heavily involved in classrooms and events

🌊 South Meridian Elementary (South Surrey)

Known for its welcoming atmosphere and hands-on learning, South Meridian provides a holistic education experience.

By the numbers: ranked 543 of 1015 BC elementary schools, with an overall rating of 5.7 out of 10. Its 5-year average is 5.4.

Strengths:

Innovative teaching through project-based learning
Peer mediation, mindfulness, and restorative justice practices
Outdoor education programs like watershed and nature studies
Strong community partnerships and dedicated staff

🏡 Pacific Heights Elementary (Grandview Heights)

Serving the growing Grandview Heights area, Pacific Heights is innovative and student-centred.

By the numbers: ranked 819 of 1015 BC elementary schools, with an overall rating of 4.5 out of 10. Its 5-year average is 5.5.

Features:

Strong use of technology in the classroom
Programs promoting mindfulness, empathy, and global awareness
Clubs and leadership initiatives such as environmental programs
Excellent parent volunteer engagement

🍁 Hazelgrove Elementary (Clayton Heights)

Hazelgrove offers a balanced approach between academics and SEL, making it a standout in Clayton Heights.

By the numbers: ranked 737 of 1015 BC elementary schools, with an overall rating of 4.9 out of 10. Its 5-year average is 5.1.

Known For:

Differentiated instruction and collaborative learning
Core values like safety, respect, and mindfulness (STORM matrix)
Student leadership and peer mediation programs
High parent involvement through PAC and volunteering

🌈 Semiahmoo Trail Elementary (South Surrey)

Located in South Surrey, Semiahmoo Trail Elementary emphasizes both academic excellence and cultural inclusivity.

By the numbers: ranked 373 of 1015 BC elementary schools, with an overall rating of 6.4 out of 10. Its 5-year average is 6.9.

Highlights:

Project-based learning and critical thinking focus
Community outreach and leadership opportunities
Strong parent engagement and inclusive school culture
Emphasis on character development

🧠 Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right School for Your Family

Each of these schools brings something special to the table, whether it’s academic excellence, community spirit, or a strong focus on emotional wellness. While this list features seven top-rated elementary schools in Surrey, there are many more great options across the city. It all depends on your family’s values and the specific programs that matter most to you.

📊 Every Surrey School in the 2025 Fraser Institute Report Card

Here is the part most school lists leave out. The Fraser Institute rates BC elementary schools out of 10 and ranks them against every other school in the province, and 115 Surrey schools are in the current edition. That's the whole list, not a top 7, so you can find your own catchment school instead of hoping it made someone's highlight reel.

Read it with your eyes open. The rating is built almost entirely from Grade 4 and Grade 7 FSA test results in literacy and numeracy, so it measures one narrow thing well and says nothing at all about the things that make a school work for a specific kid: the teachers, the programs, how far you have to drive, whether your child walks in happy. A school can post a 5.0 and still be the right call for your family. Use this to ask better questions, not to pick a house.

Rank	School	Rating	5-yr avg
1	Southridge	10.0	9.9
1	Khalsa Old Yale Road	10.0	9.8
1	Khalsa Newton	10.0	9.8
36	White Rock Christian Academy	9.6	9.0
45	St Bernadette	9.4	8.7
49	Iqra	9.3	9.1
63	Our Lady of Good Counsel	9.1	8.8
67	Star of the Sea	9.0	8.9
80	Pacific Academy	8.6	8.2
106	G.A.D.	8.2	8.5
106	Cloverdale Catholic	8.2	8.1
136	Laronde	7.9	7.6
136	Surrey Christian	7.9	7.4
147	Boundary Park	7.8	n/a
156	Bayridge	7.7	7.8
181	Fraser Wood	7.5	7.4
181	Chantrell Creek	7.5	7.2
204	Regent Christian Academy	7.3	7.9
204	Walnut Road	7.3	7.5
217	Erma Stephenson	7.2	7.5
217	Morgan	7.2	7.3
217	H T Thrift	7.2	5.9
248	Gobind Sarvar	7.0	6.4
248	William Watson	7.0	n/a
261	Dogwood	6.9	7.1
261	Frost Road	6.9	6.6
261	Maddaugh	6.9	n/a
287	St Matthew's	6.8	6.8
306	Edgewood	6.7	n/a
373	Semiahmoo Trail	6.4	6.9
373	Jessie Lee	6.4	n/a
399	Sikh Academy	6.3	7.5
399	Sunnyside	6.3	6.0
399	Katzie	6.3	5.6
445	Crescent Park	6.1	6.3
445	Ocean Cliff	6.1	6.1
445	Ray Shepherd	6.1	5.7
445	Coast Meridian	6.1	n/a
471	Rosemary Heights	6.0	7.1
471	Cambridge	6.0	5.6
471	Douglas	6.0	n/a
471	Mountainview Montessori	6.0	n/a
523	Coyote Creek	5.8	5.5
523	Hillcrest	5.8	5.4
523	Serpentine Heights	5.8	n/a
523	William F. Davidson	5.8	n/a
543	Bonaccord	5.7	n/a
543	South Meridian	5.7	5.4
566	McLeod Road Traditional	5.6	6.2
566	A J McLellan	5.6	5.4
566	Woodland Park	5.6	5.2
566	Harold Bishop	5.6	n/a
586	Surrey Muslim	5.5	7.1
586	Bothwell	5.5	n/a
586	Sunrise Ridge	5.5	n/a
613	Sullivan	5.4	5.6
613	Brookside	5.4	n/a
613	Surrey Traditional	5.4	n/a
647	Maple Green	5.3	4.2
647	Colebrook	5.3	n/a
666	A H P Matthew	5.2	n/a
666	Goldstone Park	5.2	5.6
690	Creekside	5.1	n/a
713	David Brankin	5.0	n/a
737	Hazelgrove	4.9	5.1
737	Hyland	4.9	n/a
760	Bridgeview	4.8	n/a
760	Dr F D Sinclair	4.8	n/a
760	Martha Jane Norris	4.8	n/a
760	Surrey Centre	4.8	n/a
760	T E Scott	4.8	n/a
784	Cougar Creek	4.7	4.7
784	Chimney Hill	4.7	4.6
784	Woodward Hill	4.7	4.4
784	George Greenaway	4.7	4.3
802	Westerman	4.6	4.6
802	Strawberry Hill	4.6	3.7
802	Panorama Park	4.6	n/a
819	Pacific Heights	4.5	5.5
819	Lena Shaw	4.5	2.9
819	Royal Heights	4.5	n/a
831	Beaver Creek	4.4	3.6
831	Old Yale Road	4.4	n/a
831	Regent Road	4.4	n/a
850	Adams Road	4.3	4.3
850	Ecole Riverdale	4.3	4.0
850	K B Woodward	4.3	3.9
850	Mary Jane Shannon	4.3	n/a
850	Senator Reid	4.3	n/a
871	Don Christian	4.2	n/a
882	Berkshire Park	4.1	6.2
882	Betty Huff	4.1	n/a
882	Cindrich	4.1	n/a
882	J T Brown	4.1	n/a
899	M B Sanford	4.0	n/a
906	Green Timbers	3.9	4.4
906	Bear Creek	3.9	3.3
906	Cedar Hills	3.9	n/a
914	Martha Currie	3.8	4.7
926	Cloverdale Traditional	3.7	4.2
926	Prince Charles	3.7	n/a
933	Forsyth Road	3.6	n/a
933	Janice Churchill	3.6	n/a
953	Holly	3.3	n/a
953	Latimer Road	3.3	n/a
970	Kirkbride	3.0	n/a
974	Newton	2.9	n/a
974	Simon Cunningham	2.9	n/a
974	W E Kinvig	2.9	n/a
988	Kennedy Trail	2.5	n/a
991	Hjorth Road	2.3	3.2
1000	North Ridge	1.9	3.3
1004	Gabrielle-Roy	1.8	n/a
1006	James Ardiel	1.7	n/a
1008	Georges Vanier	1.4	n/a

Rank is out of the 1015 BC elementary schools included in the report card. Rating is out of 10. Source: Fraser Institute, Report Card on British Columbia's Elementary Schools 2025, published November 2025 using 2023/2024 school year results. Schools with too little data to rate are left out of the report card entirely, which is why the count here doesn't match the district's own school count.

On that mismatch: Surrey Schools runs 106 elementary schools, 21 secondary schools, 2 learning centres and 1 online school as of the 2025/2026 year, and it's the largest district in British Columbia. The 115 schools in the table are a different set. They include independent schools the district doesn't run, and they leave out any public school that didn't generate enough test data to be rated. So treat the table as every Surrey school the Fraser Institute could score, not as a district roster.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best elementary schools in Surrey BC?

7 that consistently stand out are Sunnyside Elementary and South Meridian Elementary and Semiahmoo Trail Elementary in South Surrey, Frost Road Elementary and Walnut Road Elementary in Fleetwood, Pacific Heights Elementary in Grandview Heights, and Hazelgrove Elementary in Clayton Heights. They’re 7 of many, not a ranking.

Which Surrey neighbourhoods have the best elementary schools?

South Surrey has the deepest bench on this list with Sunnyside, South Meridian and Semiahmoo Trail. Fleetwood has Frost Road and Walnut Road, Grandview Heights has Pacific Heights, and Clayton Heights has Hazelgrove. If schools are driving your move, those 4 areas are where I’d start looking.

Are these schools ranked in order?

No. They’re 7 top-rated schools presented in no particular order, and Surrey has many more strong options across the city. The right one depends on your family’s values and the specific programs that matter most to you, not a position on a list.

What do these 7 Surrey elementary schools have in common?

Every one of them pairs a strong literacy and numeracy focus with social-emotional learning programs, offers extracurriculars like sports and clubs, and has an active Parent Advisory Council. At Frost Road the PAC goes beyond fundraising into academic planning and parent workshops.

Which Surrey elementary schools focus on project-based or outdoor learning?

South Meridian Elementary in South Surrey is the standout for hands-on learning, with project-based teaching and outdoor programs like watershed and nature studies. Semiahmoo Trail also emphasizes project-based learning and critical thinking, and Pacific Heights leans into classroom technology and global awareness.

How did you choose these schools?

I’ve lived in Surrey for over 30 years and my wife teaches in the Surrey School District, so this list blends top-rated reputations with what we hear from parents and teachers on the ground. Treat it as a starting point and visit the schools yourself before you commit to a neighbourhood.

What is the Fraser Institute rating for Walnut Road Elementary?

Walnut Road in Fleetwood is rated 7.3 out of 10 and ranks 204 of 1015 BC elementary schools in the 2025 report card, with a 5-year average of 7.5. That puts it in the top quarter of the province and makes it the strongest performer of the 7 schools on this page. It also opened a prefabricated addition for the 2025/2026 year, so it's a growing school in a growing catchment.

Is there more than one Old Yale Road Elementary in Surrey?

Effectively yes, and it trips people up constantly. The report card lists Old Yale Road at 4.4 out of 10, rank 831, and separately lists Khalsa Old Yale Road at 10.0 out of 10, tied for rank 1 in the province. They're different schools at different addresses with very different results, so check which one you're actually reading about before you draw any conclusion about a neighbourhood.

What is Hazelgrove Elementary rated?

Hazelgrove in Clayton Heights is rated 4.9 out of 10 and ranks 737 of 1015, with a 5-year average of 5.1. It's still on this list because Clayton Heights parents consistently rate the school culture and the leadership programs highly, but I'm not going to pretend the test scores match that. If provincial test results are the number that matters most to you, Walnut Road at 7.3, Fraser Wood at 7.5 and Boundary Park at 7.8 are the stronger Surrey picks.

How is Pacific Heights Elementary rated?

Pacific Heights in Grandview Heights is rated 4.5 out of 10 and ranks 819 of 1015, down from a 5-year average of 5.5. That's the lowest of the 7 schools on this page. It serves one of the fastest-growing parts of Surrey, and fast-growing catchments tend to churn students and staff, which shows up in FSA scores. If you're buying in Grandview Heights specifically for the school, go and walk through it first.

Which Surrey elementary school ranks highest?

Southridge, Khalsa Old Yale Road and Khalsa Newton share the top spot at 10.0 out of 10, tied at rank 1 in the province. Behind them the next highest-rated Surrey schools are White Rock Christian Academy at 9.6, St Bernadette at 9.4 and Iqra at 9.3. One thing to check before you plan a move around any of them: some of the names near the top of that list are independent schools that charge tuition and enrol from anywhere in the region, so living in the neighbourhood doesn't get your child a seat. The district's own list of schools is where to confirm which ones are public and where the catchments actually run.

Where do Surrey elementary schools rank in BC overall?

Across the whole table, Surrey schools land everywhere from rank 1 to rank 1008 of 1015, with ratings from 10.0 down to 1.4 out of 10. There's no single "Surrey schools are good" or "Surrey schools are bad" answer, and anyone who gives you one is selling something. The spread inside the city is much wider than the gap between Surrey and the districts next door, which is exactly why the catchment matters more than the city when you're choosing where to buy.

Is the Fraser Institute elementary report card still updated?

Yes. The elementary edition is current: the 2025 report card came out in November 2025 and uses 2023/2024 school year results. That's worth saying, because the Fraser Institute's BC secondary school report card is a different story. It hasn't been updated since the 2020 edition, which scored 2018/2019. So for elementary schools you're working with recent data, and for BC high schools you aren't.

Are these test scores a good reason to buy in a catchment?

On their own, no. The rating is built from Grade 4 and Grade 7 FSA results and nothing else, so it misses class size, the specific teachers your child gets, the programs on offer, and whether the school is about to absorb 400 new students from a subdivision down the road. Several Surrey catchments are being rebuilt around you right now. South Meridian and Semiahmoo Trail both opened classroom additions for 2025/2026, Walnut Road and Woodland Park opened prefabricated ones, and 6 more schools have additions in progress. A school's number can move a long way when its catchment does. Use the rating to build a shortlist, then go stand in the pickup line and talk to the parents.

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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