Surrey Schools expands classroom capacity and food programs for 2026-27

Surrey Schools is introducing classroom expansions, broader food supports and new safety and wellbeing resources for the 2026-27 school year as it works to keep pace with enrolment growth.

Two of five planned prefabricated classroom additions opened for the first day of school at Martha Currie Elementary and Latimer Road Elementary. Additions at Old Yale Road, William Watson and George Greenaway elementary schools are expected in winter 2027.

Work has begun on a 575-seat addition at Tamanawis Secondary, including 16 general instruction classrooms, two science rooms, art, drama, foods and technology rooms, and a neighbourhood learning centre for childcare. Construction has also started on a 1,000-seat addition at Clayton Heights Secondary, which the district says is its largest expansion to date. A four-storey, 32-classroom addition at Fleetwood Park Secondary is expected to begin construction in winter 2027, raising capacity from 1,200 to 2,000 students. Projects at Grandview Heights, Guildford Park and Kwantlen Park secondary schools remain underway.

Through its Feeding Futures program, the district aims to offer fully universal food programs at 91 elementary schools by the end of the school year. In September, 82 target schools moved to universal lunch programs, where paying families pay $3 per meal. The remaining nine schools will continue with subsidized-only programs for now, with all 91 expected to become universal by December 2026. Breakfast programs operate in 99 schools, while snack programs, community fridges, take-home food, frozen meals and weekend hampers provide additional support.

In coming months, school districts across British Columbia will roll out an Emergency Management Planning Guide for Schools, Districts, and Authorities, alongside substance-use education resources, a Student-Led Mental Health Engagement Toolkit and support for responding to discrimination.

Surrey Schools says it will continue to prioritize safety, privacy and responsible artificial intelligence use. Its first fully virtual AI information session for families featured superintendent Mark Pearmain and child and youth psychiatrist Dr. Shimi Kang. The district is also continuing its five-year Racial Equity Strategic Plan, launched in 2023 and running through 2028, with priorities including equity initiatives, responses to racism, staff training and curriculum updates reflecting district diversity.