| 'Semiahmoo Secondary School' | |
| "Semiahmoo...We are the future" | |
| Address | |
| 1785 148 Street Surrey, British Columbia, Canada |
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| Information | |
| School district | School District 36 Surrey |
| Principal | Ms. Bea Hadikin |
| Faculty | 96 |
| Funding type | Public School |
| Grades | 8–12 |
| Newspaper | The Grapevine |
| Established | 1940 |
| Enrolment | Regular: 1382 IB Program: 99 |
| Affiliation | IB World School |
| Homepage | Semiahmoo Secondary |
Semiahmoo Secondary ( /ˌsɛmiˈɑːmoʊ/ sem-ee-ah-moh) is a public high school in 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 8 through 12. The school currently has a student population of 1481 and a faculty of 96, and is headed by Principal Bea Hadikin. Semiahmoo is an IB World School, and offers a variety of courses ranging from sciences and humanities to drama and music. It ranked 55 of 316 schools in British Columbia and the Yukon according to the Fraser Institute Studies in Education Policy in 2007–08.[1]
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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 1990, Semiahmoo was transferred to the newly renovated and expanded White Rock Junior facilities, officially becoming Semiahmoo High School.
Semiahmoo consistently maintains a reputation for academic excellence, and in 2008 was ranked 55th in the Fraser Institute's annual ranking of secondary schools.[1] It offers a wide variety of academic programs and courses, including experimental sciences (chemistry, biology, physics), social sciences (social studies,psychology, history, geography), languages (English, French, Spanish, American Sign Language), mathematics, numerous trades courses, art, drama, and a highly regarded music program (concert and jazz band).
Semiahmoo Secondary School has been an IB World School since June 1980. It offers the IB Diploma Programme, and permits students to take both certificate courses or the full International Baccalaureate Diploma. Approximately 98 grade 11 and 12 diploma candidates are currently enrolled. Programme graduates have been regularly admitted to top-tier universities.
Semiahmoo boasts a theatre that can hold approximately 150 people. Despite its small size, the program has produced two well-received musicals, Grease in 2004 and Fame in 2006. In addition, the senior grades perform various one-act plays, Shakespearean works, and improvisation sessions throughout the year.
Semiahmoo Secondary School is known for its music program, with a forte in jazz.[2] Almost all of Semi's instrumental music ensembles are full courses in the school timetable. The grade 11 and 12 jazz bands and soloists travel to the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival annually. Another jazz festival that Semiahmoo attends is the Envision Jazz Festival in Surrey, B.C.
Also notable is Semi's recent success at MusicFest 2008 in Ottawa. Three of Semi's Jazz Band 12 members were included as part of the Canada-wide Yamaha Allstar Jazz Band.[3] Several individual scholarships were given out.[4] Semi's music program rise to fame was created by David Proznick who retired in 2003. The department is currently headed by Dave Fullerton. For the school year of 2010-2011, Dave Fullerton directs Jazz Bands 11 and 9, while Dagan Lowe takes Jazz Bands 12, 10, and 8. Semi also has three concert bands, a concert choir, and several extracurricular jazz combos.
Semiahmoo has one of the most proficient visual art programs in the province. More students are accepted into the Emily Carr University of Art and Design from Semiahmoo each year than from any other secondary school in the province. Starting in 2007, the IB Visual Art program was introduced, and is by far the largest in the province.
Semiahmoo has competitive teams for the following sports:
Semiahmoo Secondary School has a reputable rugby team. In the past eighteen seasons, the Totems have won the Fraser Valley High School Championship (Sparling Cup) nine times and qualified for the Provincial Championship, in 1988, 1992 and 1995. The school lost the Sandcastle Cup in 2011 to the Earl Marriot Marriners, A match held each year between the senior teams of Earl Marriot and Semiahmoo.
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