School District No. 35

It’s that time of year where grade 12 students cross the stage to mark an important milestone in their education career. 

“As we celebrate the accomplishments of our students, we are excited about the start of their next learning journey,” said Mal Gill, Superintendent of Langley Schools.

The District is seeing the highest number of grads this year with more than 2,200 students. It’s in part due to the ongoing increase in student enrolment in Langley combined with the collective efforts of students, staff, and families working together to support students to reach their goals.

The transition rate (grad rate) in the Langley School District is 97 per cent, which is higher than the provincial average.  

“The District is incredibly proud to celebrate our growing number of graduates this year,” remarked Gill. 

“Numbers aside, we recognize that each grad has their own unique story of hard work, success, and inspiration and we look forward to seeing them start a new stage of life,” he added. 

This year’s cohort of graduates have reached another significant symbol of success in education.

“This graduation class is the first generation of students to have journeyed through their 13 years recognizing Orange Shirt Day,” said Candy Ashdown, Chair of the Langley Board of Education.

“We are pleased to see our grads lead the way in our journey of truth and reconciliation in our Langley community.”

Commencement Ceremonies

On Monday, June 15, Brookswood Secondary was the first school to kick off grad season with its commencement ceremony. More than 200 students accepted their diplomas in front of teachers, staff, friends and family. At the end of the ceremony, the students took to the stage to toss their grad caps, a celebratory ritual common to most commencement ceremonies.

“It was amazing to see all of our grads together being honoured for their accomplishments and to give them the opportunity to reflect on their time here,” said Sean Juteau, Principal of Brookswood Secondary. 

“In line with our school vision, I know that our grads will be leaving us to positively shape our world through actions, words, and learning.” 

Grad Walks

Commencement ceremonies are not the only tradition in Langley Schools. Grade 12 students across the District spend one of their last days hopping on school busses and heading back to their elementary and middle schools for their grad walks.

A grad walk is an annual tradition in Langley, where grads in cap and gown, visit and walk the halls of their former schools to be celebrated by their community.

“Just seeing the young kids, how excited they were, and the effort they put in to be ready to greet our grads, with various posters, pictures, colouring, high fives,” said Virinder Braich, principal of Aldergrove Community Secondary, shortly after the grad walk at Parkside Centennial Elementary on Wednesday, June 17.

Grad walks are an opportunity for the next generation of learners, younger students, to be inspired and have hope for their own future.

“I think it’s not only amazing for the grads but great for the kids in the elementary schools as well,” noted Braich.

Scholarships and Awards

Graduates across the Langley School District are celebrating a meaningful boost to their future plans, thanks to the continued generosity of the Langley School District Foundation. 

Dedicated to removing barriers and ensuring education remains accessible and valuable for all, the foundation administers more than 300 scholarships each year on behalf of parent advisory councils, donors, and community partners. Working closely with high school counsellors throughout the District, the foundation helps recognize students for a wide range of achievements and experiences—from academic and athletic merit to overcoming adversity, demonstrating civic service, and pursuing passions in fields such as trades, health sciences, fine arts and STEM.

This year, the foundation awarded 336 scholarships, most valued between $1,000 and $2,000, providing tangible support as graduates transition into post-secondary education or trades training. Among the recipients, Maya Shamkhi of R.E. Mountain Secondary, received the Shewan Foundation Scholarship valued at $4,000 for her outstanding demonstration of civic service. 

“We are proud of all our recipients and are thrilled to celebrate their diverse pathways and recognize them for their achievements,” said Alicia Rempel, Executive Director of the Langley School District Foundation.

“We are honoured and grateful to continue to work together with our generous donors and supporters to help uplift these graduates as they take their next steps.”

Thousands of dollars in scholarships and awards from external organizations are made available to Langley grads every year. This year, Walnut Grove Secondary grad Noah Robinson has been selected to receive a $120,000 Schulich Leader Scholarship to study engineering at the University of Waterloo in the fall.

Robinson was nominated by the school’s scholarship committee for his outstanding academic achievements. He is one of 100 winners across Canada being recognized for their excellence in engineering, science, technology, and math.

The Langley School District invites the community to congratulate all of our scholarship recipients, award winners, and all grads for leaving a positive legacy for the future.