Indigenous graduation rates up 8 per cent in Surrey Schools

Indigenous graduation rates up 8 per cent in Surrey Schools

Published 11:30 am Monday, April 27, 2026

Over the last three academic school years in Surrey, Indigenous student graduation rates have increased by eight per cent.

This is according to a presentation by three Indigenous Learning staff members: director of instruction Lyn Daniels, acting director of instruction Kristen MacDonald and acting principal Aimee Boyer.

The staff members presented their findings to Surrey school board trustees at their monthly meeting held on April 8.

The presentation comes after the board of education passed a motion in 2023 aiming to raise the Indigenous graduation rate by 15 to 20 per cent by 2028.

Trustee Bob Holmes commended the progress while also recognizing that more work needs to be done.

“It’s discouraging for people, maybe, to see these numbers and say ‘Well, it hasn’t changed that much.’ But it is improving,” said Holmes. “While we’d all like to fix it next week, it’s going to take time, and (I’m) just really pleased to see the progress.”

He thanked the staff for their dedication while also acknowledging all of the ground work done by school administrators and teachers.

Trustee Terry Allen also heaped praise on their work, which originated from a request from the board.

“I really don’t think we can thank you enough,” said Allen. “You started from Step 1, and I think that as a team, you’ve moved mountains so far. And I can only hope for the future.”

Daniels, MacDonald and Boyer displayed data showing that Indigenous graduation rates had risen from 50 to 58 per cent between 2022/23 and 2024/25.

Other data in the presentation also showed that Indigenous students are feeling more safe, welcome and a part of their schools since 2021. These figures were measured first at grades 3 and 4, then 7 and finally 10.

Many of these rates were comparable to non-Indigenous students throughout Surrey schools.

Trustee Laurie Larsen raised concerns about the discrepancy between the low Indigenous student graduation rates and the high number of students feeling safe, welcome and with a sense of belonging as young children.

Boyer acknowledged that difference and said admin teams need to analyze data and ensure that tailored approaches are implemented at each school. She also touched on the importance of understanding students’ backgrounds.

“I think a lot of our practice needs to be student-centred that requires an understanding of Indigenous perspective and mindset and learning,” Boyer said.

Mark Pearmain, superintendent of Surrey Schools, echoed this feeling and asked what is being done to meet with secondary school staff to specifically tailor help to individual needs in the classroom.

MacDonald responded describing that elders have begun attending Indigenous student support success meetings with both elementary and secondary school admin. These meetings are designed to provide school admin with tools to better help Indigenous students succeed throughout Surrey schools.

“That’s something that has been really quite powerful because those are our knowledge keepers, our cultural facilitators,” says MacDonald. “We want to elevate (Indigenous students), and we want to elevate the pride in who they are and their culture and identity, and I think that’s making a really big difference.”

She also told the board about a program called First Peoples in Residence week where Indigenous elders, artists and cultural leaders spent time in classrooms at North Surrey Secondary.

According to a press release from North Surrey Secondary, this allowed “both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students an opportunity to experience Indigenous worldviews and perspectives.”

MacDonald backed this up by saying the initiative helped to create “a culture of safety within our schools.”

Daniels continued by explaining the progress that has been made over the last few years.

The initial success meetings involved asking rudimentary questions of secondary school principals about Indigenous students and their success.

She says there is now an Indigenous graduation advocate and a youth support worker in every school that meet regularly with admin to discuss Indigenous student success. This allows for a better understanding of Indigenous student success.

“We hear from the IGAs, (who say) ‘yes, we’re having meetings and it’s making a difference for knowing who they are and knowing their achievement and their progress,’” says Daniels.

The next school board meeting is at 7 p.m. on May 13. More information can be found at surreyschools.ca.