The first Surrey high school students taking a university course through the Fraser Heights Science Academy have delivered strong academic results.
Through the two-year-old program, believed to be the first of its kind in Western Canada, students can earn up to 40 credits for senior level math and science courses, plus up to 17 university credits at Simon Fraser University (SFU).
Last semester, 29 students from the program became the first to take Chemistry 121 at the university. All but one passed the course, with half of those passing attaining an A- or higher.
The Fraser Heights students scored an average grade point of 3.16 out of a possible 4.33, performing above the SFU students taking Chemistry 121 at the Surrey campus with the same instructor.
“Our first cohort has finished their first course at SFU and they are achieving above the class average,” said Fraser Heights principal Sheila Morissette. “They are doing very well.”
Claire Cupples, dean of science at SFU, says she is excited to see such great results from the program.
“Clearly these students are capable of working beyond their level and SFU is happy to provide them with an opportunity to expand their horizons and help them acquire university credits,” she said.
The two-year science academy program is open to Grade 11 students from across Surrey. The program is currently accepting applications for the 2015-16 school year.
For more information, visit www.fhtsscienceacademy.ca