SD36 · What happens if…

Surrey: where each school choice leads

Surrey registers Grade 7 students automatically at the secondary the district designates for their elementary. Its "Families of Schools" list shows which elementaries feed which secondaries.

Surrey's rules put "attended a feeder school" above "lives in the catchment" when a school is full. That suggests the elementary you choose can shape the secondary, but the district doesn't spell this out in plain words, so check with the school.

Surrey is crowded, and some schools have been closed to students from outside their catchment.

Surrey Families of Schools 2025–26 (PDF) →

What happens if…

Pick up to two paths to compare. Tell us your child's grade to see which doors are still open.

Paths to compare

Catchment English school

Register at your catchment school from January (January 12 in 2026).

  1. Kindergarten to Grade 7Your catchment elementary school.
  2. Grade 8 to 12The secondary that your elementary feeds, usually your catchment secondary.

How sure is that secondary place? High, but Surrey's rules say registration doesn't guarantee a place at a particular school.

Cost: Free.

Watch out
  • This is the default. Unless you apply for something else, your elementary and address set the secondary.
Ways to change course later
  • Late French ImmersionCompetitive
    Apply in Grade 5, 6 years from nowTiming, based on last year: February of Grade 5 (opened around February 2 in 2026)KB Woodward, Sunrise Ridge, Crescent Park or Jessie Lee for Grades 6–7, then Kwantlen Park, Salish or Earl Marriott.
  • Apply to a secondary outside your catchmentHard to get
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowTiming, based on last year: Grade 7, at the secondary you want, by its deadlineYour child goes to a different secondary, if it has space.
  • Catholic secondary from Grade 8Competitive
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowTiming, based on last year: Grade 7; the deadline was in late January in past yearsGrade 8 is the main entry year for Catholic secondaries. Nearby: Holy Cross Regional in Surrey.
  • Private secondary from Grade 8Competitive
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowThis year's timing: Fall of Grade 7. For September 2027: Crofton House by November 1, 2026 and York House by November 13, 2026Grade 8 is a main entry year. For example, St. George's takes 40–50 new Grade 8 students and Crofton House up to 44.
  • Move into a different catchmentUsually possible
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowTiming, based on last year: Before you register; residency is checked on the application dateYour child is registered at the catchment secondary for your new address.
  • IB Diploma, open to any Surrey studentCompetitive
    Apply in Grade 10, 11 years from nowTiming, based on last year: Late January to early February of Grade 10The IB Diploma at Semiahmoo or Johnston Heights for Grades 11–12. Any Surrey Grade 10 student can apply, whatever their catchment.

Early French Immersion

Enter the kindergarten choice lottery in February (February 2–20 in 2026). Offers came from March 2.

  1. Kindergarten to Grade 7A French Immersion elementary such as Riverdale, Martha Currie, Simon Cunningham, Laronde or Peace Arch. The district's lists don't fully agree, so check the current list.
  2. Grade 8 to 12Earl Marriott (from Laronde and Peace Arch), Kwantlen Park (from Riverdale and Simon Cunningham), Salish (from Martha Currie) or Panorama Ridge (from Henry Bose and Snokomish).

How sure is that secondary place? Good. Each French Immersion elementary feeds a set secondary.

Cost: Free.

Watch out
  • Surrey doesn't say clearly where students go if they leave French Immersion. Most likely it's the catchment secondary.
Ways to change course later
  • Apply to a secondary outside your catchmentHard to get
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowTiming, based on last year: Grade 7, at the secondary you want, by its deadlineYour child goes to a different secondary, if it has space.
  • Catholic secondary from Grade 8Competitive
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowTiming, based on last year: Grade 7; the deadline was in late January in past yearsGrade 8 is the main entry year for Catholic secondaries. Nearby: Holy Cross Regional in Surrey.
  • Private secondary from Grade 8Competitive
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowThis year's timing: Fall of Grade 7. For September 2027: Crofton House by November 1, 2026 and York House by November 13, 2026Grade 8 is a main entry year. For example, St. George's takes 40–50 new Grade 8 students and Crofton House up to 44.
  • Move into a different catchmentUsually possible
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowTiming, based on last year: Before you register; residency is checked on the application dateYour child is registered at the catchment secondary for your new address.
  • IB Diploma, open to any Surrey studentCompetitive
    Apply in Grade 10, 11 years from nowTiming, based on last year: Late January to early February of Grade 10The IB Diploma at Semiahmoo or Johnston Heights for Grades 11–12. Any Surrey Grade 10 student can apply, whatever their catchment.

Every chance to change course, by grade

Apply in Grade 5 · starts Grade 6

Late French Immersion

KB Woodward, Sunrise Ridge, Crescent Park or Jessie Lee for Grades 6–7, then Kwantlen Park, Salish or Earl Marriott.

When: February of Grade 5 (opened around February 2 in 2026) (based on last year; check for new dates). Chances: Spaces are limited, and the district doesn't publish applicant numbers. No French is needed beforehand.

Surrey Schools: Late French Immersion 6–12

Apply in Grade 7 · starts Grade 8

Apply to a secondary outside your catchment

Your child goes to a different secondary, if it has space.

When: Grade 7, at the secondary you want, by its deadline (based on last year; check for new dates). Chances: Applications go on a waitlist in the order received. Many Surrey schools are crowded, and some are closed to out-of-catchment students.

Surrey Schools: Regulation 9320.1, admission (PDF)

Apply in Grade 7 · starts Grade 8

Catholic secondary from Grade 8

Grade 8 is the main entry year for Catholic secondaries. Nearby: Holy Cross Regional in Surrey.

When: Grade 7; the deadline was in late January in past years (based on last year; check for new dates). Chances: Students from Catholic elementary schools and practising Catholic families come first. Families from public schools can get a place if space remains.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help: Catholic school admission priorities and tuition · Holy Cross Regional: admission

Apply in Grade 7 · starts Grade 8

Private secondary from Grade 8

Grade 8 is a main entry year. For example, St. George's takes 40–50 new Grade 8 students and Crofton House up to 44.

When: Fall of Grade 7. For September 2027: Crofton House by November 1, 2026 and York House by November 13, 2026. Chances: Most schools use an entrance test (often the SSAT), an interview and school reports. Offers come in mid-February.

Crofton House: how to apply · York House: how to apply · St. George's School: day applicants

Apply in Grade 7 · starts Grade 8

Move into a different catchment

Your child is registered at the catchment secondary for your new address.

When: Before you register; residency is checked on the application date (based on last year; check for new dates). Chances: The most reliable route to a catchment school, though Surrey's rules rank feeder-school students first if a school is full.

Surrey Schools: registration · BC School Act, section 74.1: who gets priority for a school place

Apply in Grade 10 · starts Grade 11

IB Diploma, open to any Surrey student

The IB Diploma at Semiahmoo or Johnston Heights for Grades 11–12. Any Surrey Grade 10 student can apply, whatever their catchment.

When: Late January to early February of Grade 10 (based on last year; check for new dates). Chances: You apply and are selected. This is one of the few real late chances to change school.

Surrey Schools: International Baccalaureate 8–12

Common questions

Does my elementary school decide my secondary school in Surrey?

It can. Surrey registers Grade 7 students at the secondary their elementary feeds, and its rules rank feeder-school students above catchment residents when a school is full. Check the Families of Schools list.

Is there a late chance to change secondary in Surrey?

Yes. The IB Diploma at Semiahmoo and Johnston Heights is open to any Surrey Grade 10 student. You apply in late January to early February of Grade 10.

When is the Surrey kindergarten choice lottery?

In February. In 2026 it ran from February 2 to 20, with offers from March 2. The exact 2027 dates haven't been posted.

Other districts: Vancouver · Burnaby · Richmond · North Vancouver · Coquitlam · West Vancouver · New Westminster · Delta · Langley · Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows

Sources

Last checked October 2, 2026. Dates can change, so always confirm with the organizer.