Semiahmoo Secondary School


Semiahmoo Secondary School is a public high school in South Surrey, British Columbia, and is part of School District 36 Surrey. Founded in 1940 as the first senior secondary school in South Surrey, Semiahmoo spans grades eight through twelve. The school currently has a student population of around 1700 and a faculty of 96, and is headed by Bal Ranu.
Semiahmoo is one of three public high schools on the peninsula, along with Earl Marriott Secondary School towards the border crossing, and Elgin Park Secondary School towards Ocean Park.

History

Semiahmoo Secondary was built in the city of White Rock in the late 1930s, becoming the area's first secondary school. The former building, now cleared, stood where White Rock Elementary School stands today. When White Rock Junior Secondary was built in 1961 on Oxford Street, Semiahmoo was officially renamed Semiahmoo Senior Secondary. A severe classroom shortage in the 1980s, started by a fire in White Rock Junior Secondary, prompted an effort by the provincial ministry of education to expand educational facilities in South Surrey. In 1989, Semiahmoo was transferred to the newly renovated and expanded White Rock Junior facilities, officially becoming Semiahmoo Secondary School.

Academics

International Baccalaureate
Semiahmoo is an IB World School, with an IB exam average of 36 diploma points equating to a 96% average. Semiahmoo Secondary School has been an IB World School since June 1980. Surrey students are permitted to cross school boundaries to enter International Baccalaureate Diploma. Approximately 300 students in Grades 11 & 12 are enrolled in the IB Program. Students apply to the program in the Grade 10 year by sending in the completed application package which can be found on the school website.

Extracurricular activities

Music

Almost all of Semi's instrumental music ensembles are full courses in the school timetable. The program consists of 3 concert bands: grade 8, grade 9, and Senior Wind Ensemble ; 6 jazz bands: grade 8, two grade 9, grade 10, grade 11, and grade 12; and varying amounts of jazz combos per year.
The current head of the department is Dagan Lowe along with two other directors Sarah Kennedy and Jeff Williams.

Theatre

Semiahmoo houses a theatre that can hold approximately 200 people. In addition, the senior grades perform various one-act plays, Shakespearean works, and improvisation sessions throughout the year.

Athletics

“Semiahmoo has received multiple Provincial banners in recent years. Semiahmoo has a track, baseball field, all weather soccer fields and a rugby field.

Notable alumni