Top 7 BEST Secondary Schools in Surrey BC

by Alex Dunbar

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

The 7 Surrey BC secondary schools I point families to most are Fraser Heights, Elgin Park, Fleetwood Park, Semiahmoo, Earl Marriott, Grandview Heights and École Salish. Each leads in something different: AP and an SFU science academy at Fraser Heights, IB at Semiahmoo, French Immersion at Earl Marriott and Salish. There’s no single best school, only the best fit.

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.

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.

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, Guilford Community

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.

2. Elgin Park Secondary

📍 Location: Elgin Chantrell, South Surrey

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.

3. Fleetwood Park Secondary

📍 Location: Fleetwood Community

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.

4. Semiahmoo Secondary

📍 Location: Sunnyside Park, South Surrey

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.

5. Earl Marriott Secondary

📍 Location: King George Corridor, South Surrey

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 theater 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.

6. Grandview Heights Secondary

📍 Location: Grandview Heights, South Surrey

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.

7. École Salish Secondary

📍 Location: Clayton, Cloverdale Community

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-centered 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.

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 rigor, 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.

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.

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