The colourful walls of Discovery Elementary School. The Surrey School Board is considering moving the program due to dwindling enrolment numbers.
Photo: Discovery Elementary School
The Surrey School Board is considering moving a nearly 40-year-old curriculum program, amidst fears that the move would decimate the already floundering program.
Discovery School on 109 Avenue is home to the Discovery Program, a system based on the Adlerian philosophy of learning. This philosophy promotes mutual respect, encouragement, positive discipline and cooperation. Since 1995, enrollment numbers have declined from 225 to 57, with further decline estimated in the future.
"It's a combination of the fact that it hasn't been proving successful in attracting new students and parents over the last 10 years in that location," said Doug Strachan, district communications manager for the Surrey School Board.
Building underutilized
"We're dealing with taxpayer dollars," said Strachan. "It isn't really fair to underuse or underutilize a building of that size in that way."
Due to the shortage of students, the building, which has a 200-student capacity, has been slated for what the board deems a more appropriate use. There is a shortage of Grade 10 to 12 classrooms in that area which may cause the building to be repurposed for that reason.
"The board has made it clear that it wants to see the program continue and is trying to find a way to help its success," said Strachan. The board says that its intent is not to close the program, but to relocate it to a more suitable place.
Possible solutions
One proposed solution the board has offered is to move the program to another elementary school and create a "dual-track" school.
"It's a school that has a couple of programs running in it," said Strachan. "It could be that it is a French immersion school with a traditional program, but more often it's a neighbourhood school that has also a district choice program such as the Discovery program."
Strachan also said that dual-track schools offer parents more choice and may increase enrollment by enticing students already in the existing school's community.
Parent feedback
But supporters of the Discovery program believe that moving it would mean the end of the program itself.
"Many of our parents feel that a move of the program into another larger school . . . will mean we will lose another significant percentage of our student body as people are unable or unwilling to make the commute," said Tricia Keith, in a letter to the Leader. "This would likely spell the end of the Discovery program no matter what."
Keith acknowledged that "drawing more attention and increasing enrollment" was needed to save the school, but believed that staying on location was a necessary part of the equation. Other parents echoed these sentiments on the school's official Facebook page and in letters to the Leader.
School board's stance
Strachan has heard these opinions but believes the results speak for itself.
"Well, the status quo clearly isn't going to save the program, so something needs to change in order for the program to survive," said Strachan.
The two locations proposed are Prince Charles Elementary on 100 Avenue or Royal Heights Elementary on 97 Avenue. "It would be the same program, just in a new location," said Strachan. "The same teachers, same staff -- at least those who choose to move with it."
Outcome
The decision has not yet been finalized and there is a chance that the program may remain at its present location.
"It's the recommendation of staff that it be moved, but the board ultimately makes the decision, said Strachan. "It's possible the board may choose to move it, may choose not to, or based on the input, make some other decision or ask staff for more information."
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