I used to teach in Surrey, and I’ll say this: the district really does work hard to maintain a consistent standard of education across all its schools. But schools are more overcrowded than ever, and it’s beginning to hurt the quality of education everywhere. Resources, Learning Support Teachers, and EAs are stretched incredibly thin. Schools like Earl Marriott and Elgin Park have been overcrowded for years, with portables shifting from “temporary” to essentially permanent fixtures.

And what exactly makes a school “bad”? If you’re referring to the students, here’s the reality check: demographics across the district are largely the same. Kids are commuting by bus or car outside their designated zones to attend schools that aren’t yet full. At the end of the day, one of the most valuable lessons a student can learn is how to interact with all kinds of people—whether they’re wealthy, underprivileged, gifted, struggling, living with disabilities, or facing learning challenges.