Board votes to continue hybrid course trial
The Surrey School Board has approved a motion to carry forward its hybrid learning pilot project into the 2025-26 academic year. The decision follows the board’s initial vote on the program in December 2024 and reflects the district’s ongoing evaluation of the pilot’s effectiveness in meeting student needs. The hybrid model blends in-person instruction with online learning and remains optional for students to enrol in.
What the pilot involved this year
Last year, the board asked staff to offer hybrid learning for selected senior secondary courses at secondary schools. In practice, 38 hybrid course sections were available across 21 schools, drawing students who sought added flexibility for managing school schedules, extracurriculars, work or personal preferences. Career education subjects saw especially strong take-up.
Feedback on the pilot was gathered through surveys and a student forum, with students reporting greater scheduling flexibility and opportunities to build time-management skills. Some said hybrid classes helped students work in different environments and balanced school with other commitments. Teachers also said the model encouraged independence and tailored support, though they noted challenges with distractions and engagement outside the classroom.
Voices from students and teachers
Students said hybrid learning allowed them to work at times that suited them, such as afternoons or evenings, and helped them develop real-world skills like managing time and balancing responsibilities. Some teachers highlighted that the hybrid environment fostered student autonomy and provided chances for one-on-one interaction during in-person sessions. Parental feedback also reflected broad support for the pilot’s continued use.
Challenges were also reported. Students mentioned that outside distractions and maintaining motivation when learning remotely could be difficult, while teachers said balancing hybrid and traditional classroom responsibilities sometimes required additional planning and skill with technology.
Plans for next year
With the board’s approval, hybrid learning will expand in Grades 10 to 12, and district staff will continue gathering feedback from students, parents and teachers to refine the approach. The board plans to work with external partners to study hybrid learning and will provide professional development to teachers to strengthen the model’s delivery.
The next formal update on the pilot’s progress is expected in December 2026, when the board will review further data and community feedback on the hybrid learning experience.
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