Education Home of Canada Education Park
Chilliwack School Board
There are more than 14,000 school-age students attending public school in the City of Chilliwack (2008), served by approximately 1,500 staff.
There are 20 public elementary schools (K-6), five middle schools (7-9), one middle/secondary school (7-12), two secondary schools (10-12) and four alternate programs - CHANCE Alternate School, Education Centre, Sto:lo Alternate School, and the Fraser Valley Distance Education School.
Each child has access to full educational facilities with a standard liberal education, such as reading, writing, mathematics, social studies, science, literature, language, art, and physical education. In addition to basic curriculum and the specialty programs listed above, school curriculums at the secondary level also include technology (Java Programming; Microsoft Engineering; Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer; Cisco; Computer Animation; CAD; 3-D Animation; Graphic Arts); Office Management; Robotics, Drama, Music, Industrial Arts, Home Economics, an Apprenticeship Program, and Career Preparation.
French Immersion is offered at two elementary schools (Sardis Elementary and Strathcona Elementary); a late French Immersion Program which begins in grade 6 is also available. French Immersion continues in grades 7-9 at Chilliwack Middle and Vedder Middle Schools, and for grades 10-12 at Sardis Secondary. For more information, contact the School District’s website: www.sd33.bc.ca or call 604-792-1321.
School Bus Service
Bus service is provided for elementary students who live at least 4 kilometers from school and for middle and senior secondary students who live at least 4.8 kilometers from school. Special provisions are made for kindergarten and special needs students.
Growth
With Chilliwack’s growing population, the need for more classroom space increases annually, with an average growth rate of between 3% and 4% over the past 10 years. In the last several years, some of our most recent developments include: G.W. Graham Secondary School (new), Sardis Secondary School (rebuild), Mt. Slesse Middle School (new), Chilliwack Middle School (renovation), Vedder Middle School (renovation), Evans Elementary (rebuild), Promontory Heights Community School (new), and Vedder Elementary School. Of interesting note, Vedder Elementary School is similar in construction to Unsworth Elementary, which has been selected by the Ministry of Education, to be a prototype for future British Columbia elementary schools.
Other Schools
Chilliwack is home to approximately 10 private schools. These schools generally provide the standard curriculum plus a special area of focus (such as Christian education).
Pre-schools and Daycare
There are 15 pre-schools and approximately 70 daycares in Chilliwack. For referrals and more specific information, contact Chilliwack Community Services at 604-792-4267.
Higher Education
Chilliwack is home to a world-class post-secondary educational facility: the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV). This university offers specialized training in agriculture, business, technology, and trades. In addition to academic/credit courses (which would count towards a Masters, degree, diploma, or certificate), UFV offers a wide variety of programs, workshops, courses, and special events through the Continuing Education division.
Growth
The University of the Fraser Valley has embarked on a long-term construction program to replace the existing main structures with a new modern campus and to increase the capacity to 5,000 full-time students. Some of their current facilities include a Health Science building, a daycare center, classrooms, laboratories, and theatre.
Other Post-secondary Schools
There are also two colleges in the community: Vancouver Career College and MTI Community College. These colleges have campuses in numerous other cities throughout the Lower Mainland area of British Columbia. Like most career colleges, these institutions provide technical and trade training including Business, Healthcare, Hospitality, and Computers. On-the-job practicum placements and job search assistance are also available.
There are also a number of private businesses in Chilliwack and the surrounding area that offer specialized training programs such as first aid, driving schools, beauty schools, and more.