Surrey School District Implements Staggered Scheduling

Surrey, British Columbia, is experiencing rapid growth, with a student population of around 80,000, leading to overcrowded schools. To tackle this issue, the Surrey School District has implemented a staggered class schedule in its most crowded high schools, including Tanoa Secondary. This new approach divides students into early and late shifts—some starting at 8:00 a.m. and others at 9:30 a.m.—and increases learning periods from four to five. The district acknowledges that this method is a temporary solution, estimating it will enhance the capacity of schools by 10-15%, thus reducing hallway congestion and class sizes. However, the change has brought about mixed reactions from the community. While some students appreciate the later start time, others, particularly parents, have voiced concerns over childcare issues and extracurricular commitments. The principal of Tanoa Secondary expressed the challenges of adapting to this new schedule and emphasized the need for community-building among students. Despite the expected growing pains, the school is making adjustments to meet the diverse requirements of teachers, students, and parents. Overall, the district aims to alleviate overcrowding in Surrey schools while exploring potential solutions for long-term growth, including the construction of new schools.