Dozens decry closure of South Surrey-White Rock alternative school

Dozens of students, former students, and parents rallied outside the Surrey School District office on Wednesday night in a desperate attempt to prevent the closure of an alternative school.

The South Surrey White Rock Learning Centre, which offers individualized learning and support for those who struggle in traditional classrooms, is due to close at the end of the academic year, forcing around 180 students to transfer.

“I don’t think I’d be alive if I never went to the learning centre,” said Olivia, just one of the gathered Grade 10 to 12 students who called the school a lifeline.

“Because of bullying and mental health stuff, it was just so difficult and overwhelming. When I went there, it was like a sudden change,” added Tessa, a Grade 10 student. “It was so welcoming, like being able to breathe.”

Carter is a former student who says the learning centre helped him turn his life around and get into university.

“I went from basically being expelled and failing out to now graduating from UBC,” he told CityNews.

The Surrey School Board says the centre is being shut down because it can no longer afford to renew the lease on the building.

“Over the years, the amount of money we’ve been getting from Victoria has not kept pace with inflation,” said board chair Gary Tymoschuk. “Therefore we’ve just had to make decisions on a number of things to find ways to balance our budget.”

The board has promised that affected students will have the option of transferring to other learning centres in the district.

“Every student will have an opportunity to consult with the existing principal and staff at the South Surrey White Rock Learning Centre and develop a plan that will work for them to transition to wherever they choose to go to continue their education,” the district stated.

However, the students say the relationships they have built at the school are irreplaceable.

“I’ve gotten good grades, and I’ve never gotten good grades, I’ve never tried at school. Here I try,” said Ava, a Grade 11 student. “And I actually made friends. I had no friends growing up, ever.”

The lease for the building that has housed the South Surrey White Rock Learning Centre for years will expire in June.

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With files from Mike Lloyd.