The Surrey School District is considering moving the school boundaries in two neighbourhoods this fall, potentially affecting four elementary schools.
The first proposed change is to shift a portion of the community that would currently attend M.B. Sanford to Bear Creek Elementary’s catchment area. The affected area runs from 72 Avenue north to around 75 Avenue and from King George Highway east to between 138 and 140 Streets.
Bear Creek Elementary is at 13780 80 Ave. and has 476 students, while M.B. Sanford, located near 73 Avenue and 143 Street has an enrolment of 533. Neither school uses portable classrooms.
The other suggested change affects Frost Road and Woodland Park elementary schools. The proposal is to redirect students in a neighbourhood between Fraser Highway and 88 Avenue (between 156 and 160 Streets) from Frost Road to Woodland Park.
While Frost Road has 581 students and uses three portables, Woodland Park has 408 kids and no portables.
The reason for the boundary moves, the school district says, is to make more efficient use of space, fill empty classrooms, reduce overcrowding and portables and balance the growth between schools.
The public’s feedback is being sought on both boundary moves. Comments can be provided to school principals, who will forward them to the Surrey Board of Education.
The proposed changes would be phased in and would not affect current students attending any of the schools, or their siblings. However, new students – ones recently moved to the area or who become of school age in 2012 – would be asked to attend schools in the new catchment areas this September.
B.C. rules allow students to go to any school they wish if space is available, but parents may make an “out of catchment” application” to a chosen school that is outside their neighbourhood. If a school is full, names are placed on a wait list.
Documents, including maps, explaining the potential boundary changes can be found at www.sd36.bc.ca/ (links on right side of home page).
The deadline to provide feedback is Jan. 13.
