Overview

New Westminster Schools supports a caring, inclusive, and committed learning community that is dedicated to supporting each of our unique learners. We want every student to build the skills and competencies they need to be productive and successful citizens in a rapidly changing world, with support from the life-long learners who work in our schools and across our district.


Demographics
At New Westminster Schools, we recognize and acknowledge the Qayqayt First Nation, as well as all Coast Salish peoples, on whose traditional and unceded territories we live, we learn, we play and we do our work. The City of New Westminster sits in the centre of the Greater Vancouver Regional District between the larger communities of Burnaby, Coquitlam, Surrey and Richmond. While the city is relatively small, New West has retained a strong sense of history and community, with a passion for taking on big challenges.


Unique Characteristics
The student population is reflective of the city’s population, with a full range of social and cultural backgrounds forming a diverse presence in our schools. As one of the fastest growing districts in Metro-Vancouver, we continue to support a wide-range of learners.

Our learners are taught and supported by more than 1000 dedicated employees, including teachers, education assistants, clerical staff, crossing guards, maintenance, custodians and administrators. We have 12 schools: 8 elementary, 3 middle, and one secondary school. We also offer alternate education programs, adult and online learning options, and a Home Learners Program.

Our growing enrollment is creating capacity issues, as we’re working hard to expand or maximize use of existing sites, while we also build new schools. For more information on our capital projects: https://newwestschools.ca/about-us/growth-capital-projects/


Our Programs and Services
New Westminster Schools is committed to creating innovative and collaborative learning opportunities that help our students and staff lead into the future, while we remove the barriers that some people in our community face.

We support the academic and social success of all Indigenous students in the District, guided by our Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreement. We are committed to inclusive education, supporting the need for students to attend school with their peers and receive appropriate, quality programming with a continuum of supports. We are committed to supporting diversity, equity and inclusion, while we also actively seek to create policies, practices and learning opportunities that support us all in becoming anti-racist as well.

Our Programs of Choice provide a range of options for students and families to consider, including early and late French Immersion, Montessori, home learning and more. In addition, highly motivated students can prepare for the rigors of post-secondary education through our International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program, as well as the Pre-IB program in grades 9 and 10.

We are proud to offer apprenticeship programs in partnership with post-secondary institutions and the Industry Training Authority (ITA). Students can earn credit towards graduation  at the same time as receiving first-level trades certification in piping, carpentry and professional chef programs. Our district partners with the Piping Institute College, BCIT and Vancouver Community College respectively in these programs.

We are also firmly committed to establishing and nurturing community partnerships to offer school-based programs and services that promote the well-being of our children, youth and families. We believe that strong families are critical to the success of our children and youth and, ultimately, our community as a whole. And you can see a lot of that work coming from the Wellness Centre at NWSS, a community health and wellness hub that supports kids, families and individuals across New Westminster.

The Board of Education of School District No. 40 (New Westminster) is committed to creating and maintaining a respectful, welcoming and nurturing environment.

At New Westminster Schools, we strive to be a learning organization, committed to reviewing, refining and reflecting upon our practice to provide the best possible outcomes for students.

There is much to explore!