B.C.’s newest high school, the $55-million Salish Secondary in Surrey’s Clayton Heights, is set to open its doors for the first time to students next week and it’s state of the art.
Stepping through the front doors, the first thing visitors notice is the bright wide-open space.
Principal Sheila Hammond says she feels light can have a calming effect.
She adds there will only be two school bells a day because bells can create anxiety.
“We’ll have a welcome bell in the morning and a lunch bell and that’s it.”
There is also a rooftop deck where yoga classes will be offered.
“Learning doesn’t happen in just four walls, it can happen everywhere and anywhere,” Hammond said.
The school is open concept and classrooms have walls that close and open.
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Desktops are made of white-board material so students can actually write on them.
On the walls are 90-inch computer TVs.
The French Immersion program is moving to Salish and along with the core curriculum, a new “robotics” course will be offered.
“It’s a different way of thinking about learning,” said Hammond.