School Info

At Burnaby North Secondary School we strive to develop the full potential of every student by using many different approaches to learning in a range and variety of programs in grades 8 through 12.

Founded in 1922, Burnaby North was the city’s first high school.  While it began in the basement of a local Presbyterian Church, it moved into its first building (now Rosser Elementary) in 1923.  It moved to its third location near Confederation Park in 1946 when it changed to a Senior High School.  In 1962, the school moved to its location on Hammarskjold and the old building became Burnaby Heights Junior Secondary (now closed),   The ‘new North’ was just up the hill from Kensington Junior Secondary.  Kensington Jr. had been open since 1956 and had a long history of success in sports and the arts.  In 1981 both schools merged and took over the long familiar North and South building configuration.  In 2019, construction began on the new building for Burnaby North.  The school started classes in the new site in January 2024.  While the North and South buildings currently remain, deconstruction has begun.  The North building site will become a new all-weather field and additional staff/guest parking.  The South building site will become parkland when it is eventually decommissioned

We have a long tradition of academic achievement and public service. The Excel program offers Advanced Placement (AP) and Honours courses to interested students, while a variety integrated and support programs assist those students experiencing difficulty to achieve success.

We host a wide variety of clubs and activities which offer students many opportunities to pursue their interests in sports, the arts and sciences, community service, and personal growth.

PROGRAMMES

Advanced Placement, BC Graduation, English Language Learners (ELL), Hockey Academy, Honours, Mentorship, Pre-Employment, Sound Production, Film & Media Production

DEPARTMENTS

Applied Skills (Business Education, Home Economics, Technology Education), Career Programs, English, Languages, Leadership, Mathematics, Physical Education, Science, Social Studies, Visual and Performing Arts (dance, music and visual arts)

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Burnaby North offers a range of extra curricular activities including

  • Academic Opportunities
    • e.g. Debating, Math Challengers, Physics Olympics
  • Arts Opportunities
    • e.g. Anime Club, Arts Council, Dance Company
  • Athletic Opportunities (Teams & Clubs)
    • e.g. Badminton, Basketball, Golf, Mountain Biking, Skiing & Snowboarding, Soccer, Table Tennis, Track & Field, Vollyeyball, Ultimate
    • Hockey Academy
    • Intramural Events
  • Leadership Opportunities
    • e.g. Grade Councils, Grad Council, Success Tutors
  • Service Opportunities
    • e.g. Christmas Cheer, Enviro Club, Karing for Kids, Library Club, Make-a-Difference club

FACILITIES

Art studios, automotive shops, cafeterias (2), carpentry & metal workshops, computer labs, dance studio, drama studio, film production space, gallery space, gymnasiums (3), library, meditation garden, music rooms, sound production studio, weight room