For families buying in White Rock and South Surrey, schools are often the deciding factor in where to settle. The area is served by School District 36 (Surrey), the largest district in British Columbia, and offers a strong selection of public, private, and specialty programs. Here is what you need to know as you plan your purchase around your children's education.
Public Elementary Schools
White Rock and South Surrey have a number of well-regarded public elementary schools. Catchment boundaries determine which school your child attends based on your home address, so understanding these boundaries before you buy is essential.
Key elementary schools in the area include:
- Ray Shepherd Elementary: Located on 20th Avenue, this school serves the central White Rock hillside area. It has a strong parent community and is popular with families in the upper town centre.
- White Rock Elementary: One of the older schools in the community, located on Russell Avenue. It serves the lower hillside and areas near the waterfront.
- Ocean Park Elementary: Situated in the heart of the Ocean Park neighbourhood, this school is highly sought after by families drawn to the village atmosphere of Ocean Park.
- Jessie Lee Elementary: Located near 152nd Street, this school serves parts of South Surrey and has a French Immersion track.
- Semiahmoo Trail Elementary: A newer school in the Grandview Heights area of South Surrey, reflecting the rapid residential growth in that part of the community.
Secondary Schools
The area's two main public secondary schools are both well-established and offer a variety of programs:
Semiahmoo Secondary: Located on 148th Street, Semiahmoo is one of the most highly regarded public high schools in Surrey. It consistently ranks well in Fraser Institute school rankings and offers strong academic programs, including Advanced Placement (AP) courses. The school also has a respected performing arts program and competitive athletics. Homes within Semiahmoo's catchment area often carry a modest price premium — a factor worth considering when budgeting for your purchase.
Earl Marriott Secondary: Located on 156th Street in South Surrey, Earl Marriott is a large, comprehensive secondary school. It offers a wide range of programs including a strong trades and technology program, athletics, and academic coursework. The school draws from a broad area of South Surrey.
Both schools feed students to Kwantlen Polytechnic University's South Surrey campus and, increasingly, to Simon Fraser University's Surrey campus for post-secondary pathways.
French Immersion
French Immersion is popular in the South Surrey and White Rock area, with demand regularly exceeding available spots. The early immersion program begins in kindergarten, while late immersion starts in Grade 6.
Elementary schools offering French Immersion in the area include Jessie Lee Elementary and Peace Arch Elementary. At the secondary level, Semiahmoo Secondary offers a French Immersion program that allows students to graduate with a bilingual diploma.
Registration for French Immersion is competitive, and families should be aware that attending a French Immersion school may mean your child attends a school outside your neighbourhood catchment. This is an important consideration when choosing where to live — proximity to the French Immersion school can save significant commute time for families.
Private Schools
Several private schools serve the White Rock and South Surrey area, offering alternatives for families seeking specific educational philosophies, smaller class sizes, or faith-based instruction:
- Southridge School: An independent, co-educational school located in South Surrey offering both junior (K-7) and senior (8-12) programs. Southridge is one of the most prestigious independent schools in the Lower Mainland, with strong university preparation and a beautiful campus. Tuition is significant but the school offers bursary programs.
- White Rock Christian Academy: A smaller, faith-based school offering kindergarten through Grade 12. It provides a more intimate educational environment with a Christian worldview integrated into the curriculum.
- Star of the Sea Catholic School: A parish school offering kindergarten through Grade 7 in the White Rock area, with students typically moving on to one of the public secondary schools or a private school for Grades 8-12.
Catchment Areas and Home Buying
In BC's public school system, your home address determines your designated school. While cross-boundary transfers are possible, they are not guaranteed and depend on space availability at the receiving school. For this reason, many families specifically seek homes within the catchment of their preferred school.
This is particularly relevant in White Rock and South Surrey, where school boundaries can change over time as new schools are built and neighbourhoods grow. Before making an offer on a home, verify the current catchment boundaries through the Surrey School District website. Your real estate agent should also be able to help with this.
Neighbourhoods like Ocean Park and the West Beach area are popular with families specifically because of school proximity. Check available family homes on our listings page.
Before and After School Care
For working parents, access to before and after school care is a practical necessity. Most elementary schools in the area have one or more licensed childcare providers operating on-site or nearby, offering programs that align with school hours. Demand for these programs is high, and wait lists are common — so it is advisable to register early, ideally as soon as you know which school your child will attend.
The Bottom Line for Families
White Rock and South Surrey offer a strong educational environment across the spectrum — from well-ranked public schools to respected private institutions, with French Immersion and specialty programs available. The key for home buyers is to identify your schooling priorities early and factor catchment boundaries into your search area. A home that is perfectly located for your preferred school can make a meaningful difference in your family's daily quality of life for years to come.