École Alpha Secondary: Focus on Burnaby’s Secondary Schools

École Alpha Secondary, located in North Burnaby, is one of the smaller secondary schools in the district. Founded in 1950, Alpha offers many Advanced Placement (AP) and Honours courses, French Immersion, a mini school for advanced learning, extensive trades training, a wide range of athletic teams, and an impressive visual and performing arts department.

An Extensive Renovation Will Result in Fantastic New Facilities for Alpha Students

Alpha has been undergoing a $27 million seismic renovation which will be complete in the fall of 2018. The renovation will upgrade many of the school’s facilities, including its classrooms, gymnasiums and shop rooms. It will also add modern facilities to the school, such as a new STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) lab. It will also increase the enrollment capacity of Alpha to 1100 students.

AP and Honours Courses at Alpha

Alpha has extensive AP (Advanced Placement) and Honours courses. AP courses offer students the opportunity to receive university credit if a certain grade level is attained. Current offerings include English Literature, Physics, Statistics, Calculus, Psychology, Human Geography, and Microeconomics, among others.

Alpha Offers an Exciting Robotics (Mechatronics) Program!

With advances in robotics (mechatronics) becoming more sophisticated every year, Alpha is proud to offer industry career training in this growing field. Students will study mechanics, computer programming, and electronics, enabling them to design and build mechatronic systems. Hairdressing and Fitness Instructor training is also offered at Alpha.

Athletics Shine at Alpha – Go Aztecs!

Alpha offers many athletic opportunities for its students, such as cross-country running, basketball, volleyball, badminton, skiing, track and field, netball, swimming, tennis, golf, and rugby, among others.

Performing Arts at Alpha – Taking the Show on the Road

Alpha’s music department offers concert band for grades 8 through 12. It also offers jazz band, guitar, and concert and chamber choirs. The senior band has toured regionally and internationally. Closer to home, Alpha’s hip-hop and flamenco dance troupes perform at various community events throughout the school year.

Clubs for All Interests at Alpha

At Alpha, there is a diversity of clubs offering something for every student. Currently Alpha has active clubs in debating, robotics (whose teams participate in numerous regional Vex robotics competitions), math, school newspaper (The Alpha Centauri), musical theatre, improv (which performs for live audiences during the school year), and dance team. There are also two leadership clubs and numerous councils that students can participate in, such as the fine arts, sports, music, and student councils.

French Immersion and a Mini-School at Alpha

The school also offers French Immersion, one of three schools in the district to do so, and a mini school called the Beta School, for advanced learning.

Alpha Prepares its Students Well for Life After High School

With top-quality academics, athletics programs, clubs, industry-specific and trades training, as well as a robust visual and performing arts department, Alpha is a great place to learn, thrive, and achieve success for life beyond high school.