New Westminster Secondary School

New Westminster Secondary is one of the largest high schools in British Columbia, enrolling approximately 2000 students from grades 9 through 12. We are proud of our many outstanding academic programs, including International Baccalaureate and French Immersion, as well as our outstanding performing arts, sports, and apprenticeship programs.
There are many attractive options at our school for students as they journey towards graduation, including extra-curricular clubs and activities to suit a vast array of interests. Our school has a rich culture where diversity is celebrated, and relationships are nurtured.
Our mission at New Westminster Secondary School is to develop responsible citizens, and lifelong learners who: Respect Learning, Respect the Environment, and Respect Themselves and Others. Students, staff, and parents working together to teach, model, and reinforce our three simple School Rules will ensure a successful year for everyone.
While we have a long and proud history at New Westminster Secondary School, we look toward the future with great optimism with the scheduled opening of a replacement school in September 2020. This project is one of the largest capital school replacement projects in the province's history, at $106.5 million. It promises to deliver a state-of-the-art facility for teaching and learning. These are fascinating times for New Westminster Secondary School.
Our school code of conduct is designed to provide guidelines for appropriate student behavior while at school, while at any school-sponsored function, or where engaging in an activity that will have an impact on a safe, caring, and orderly school environment. A user agreement has also been developed to provide guidelines for students' use of digital technology while at school, while at any school-sponsored function, or engaging in an activity that will impact a safe, caring, and orderly school environment. These guidelines are outlined in the attached document.
New Westminster Schools offers the New Westminster Secondary School (NWSS) International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) – a challenging curriculum with the IB DP in Grades 11 and continues through grade 12.
The DP leads to a qualification that is widely recognized by the world's leading universities. Many universities provide specific scholarships for DP students, and most grant course credit of up to one year. The program prepares highly-motivated students for the rigors of post-secondary education. It encourages students to be active learners, asks questions, and interact with the world around them in a meaningful way. IB encourages students worldwide to become active, compassionate, and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.
The New Westminster Secondary School Athletic Department, composed of professional educators and volunteers, endeavors to provide its student-athletes with the opportunity to pursue personal and athletic excellence in various sports. Personal athletic excellence includes developing athletic skills, team leadership, competitiveness, and a positive team and personal attitude.
NWSS is proud of a fine tradition of participation and excellence in athletics. The wide range of athletic opportunities available to students reflects the dedication and commitment of our volunteer coaches. There are numerous opportunities to get involved at the intramural level for the student who lacks time to commit to a school team or prefers a more casual commitment. Teams offered to vary depending on the season.
The French Immersion Program is designed to teach French to non-French speaking children. Students are immersed in the French language in French Immersion while following the BC Provincial Curriculum: Building Student Success. French Immersion students who continue their French studies through to grade 12 can earn what is known as a "double dogwood" or a Diplôme de fin d’études secondaires en Colombie-Britannique. Students must complete Français langue seconde 10, 11, & 12 and ensure that at least three more of their four-credit grades 10, 11, or 12 courses are taught in French at the grade 11 or 12 levels.