June 13,2025
RED FM news Desk
The Surrey School District is exploring the possibility of implementing year-round schooling as a solution to its ongoing overcrowding issues.
Under this model—often referred to as a “tri-semester” system—students at each school would be divided into multiple groups, or cohorts, with each group starting and ending the school year at different times. This approach would shorten the traditional summer break but provide students with more frequent breaks throughout the year, including during the summer months.
By staggering these breaks, the tri-semester schedule could increase school capacity by up to 30%, helping to relieve pressure in Surrey’s overcrowded schools. “Although the format would look different, the total number of instructional days would remain the same,” said Neder Dhillon, assistant superintendent for South Surrey and White Rock.
While early research by the district has shown some benefits to this approach, officials have also acknowledged a range of potential challenges if the system is introduced. The idea is still in the early stages and may not be implemented for several years, but some school trustees have already raised concerns about the feasibility of the plan.
To gather insights, district representatives have held virtual meetings with school officials in Canada and other countries where year-round schooling has been adopted or is currently in place.
Currently, Surrey Schools are examining two schedule models:
The first model would divide students into four cohorts. Each group would attend school for three consecutive months, then take a one-month break, repeating this cycle throughout the year. Each cohort’s start, end, and break periods would be staggered.
The second model proposes three cohorts. Two cohorts would attend school for eight straight months, then have a two-week break, return for two more weeks, take a two-month break, then finish with two weeks of school followed by another two-week break. The third cohort would follow a different rhythm: four months of school, two weeks off, two months off, two weeks of school, two weeks off, and then another four months of instruction.
District officials emphasized the need to space out breaks appropriately to avoid fatigue, especially for the cohorts with longer continuous schooling periods.
Loading ...
