School District 36 Surrey operates schools in Surrey, White Rock, and Barnston Island, British Columbia. It is the largest school district in British Columbia with 71,838 students during the 2016/2017 school year. District 36 includes 101 elementary schools, 26 secondary schools, and 5 learning centres. The first school in Surrey opened in 1882. The district is Surrey’s largest employer with 10,989 employees including 6,063 teachers.