Nearly 11,000 students take part in Surrey Schools Summer Learning

Nearly 11,000 learners spent part of July in the classroom through Surrey Schools Summer Learning, with 10,950 students enrolled across the district. At the September public board meeting, director of instruction Raj Puri outlined a program offering full-credit, preview and review, and enrichment courses.

At the elementary level, 2,708 students attended 30 sites. Kindergarten to Grade 6 learners received literacy and numeracy support, French immersion classes operated at three sites, and students moving from Grade 7 to Grade 8 received transition support in literacy and numeracy.

At the secondary level, 8,242 students and adult learners enrolled at seven main sites. Offerings included preview and review courses for Grade 8 and 9 students, law courses that include a mock trial, and specialty programs in girls-only aviation, automotive studies and culinary arts. Adult education at Invergarry supported newcomers working on English and math, while the SFU Film Academy introduced secondary student filmmakers to modern cinema.

Indigenous learning programs included learning circles led by Indigenous facilitators and teachers, a secondary Indigenous math program, Little Eaglets, and Tetoten, a new program on Barnston Island. Coast Salish Seasonal Studies was offered for the first time at Queen Elizabeth Secondary in partnership with SFU, giving students an opportunity to learn from the land and language.

Puri credited district departments, SFU and other community agencies for making the programming possible. The district says it will continue seeking ways to enhance Summer Learning.