Top-Rated Schools in Langley, BC: A 2026 Guide for Families

Families searching for schools in Langley, BC will find a district that's growing almost as fast as the community around it. I'm Stephanie Wong, a real estate agent with Luxmore Realty who works with buyers across Langley and the Fraser Valley, and school quality is consistently the first question families ask me before we even start touring homes.

Langley falls under School District 35, which covers Langley Township and Langley City with a mix of elementary, middle, and secondary schools, French Immersion programs, and specialty options like Langley Fine Arts School. The district has been investing heavily in new capacity over the past two years, which matters for families weighing where to buy: newer schools and additions often mean shorter commutes, smaller classes in the short term, and modern facilities.

Key Takeaways

• School District 35 (Langley) has opened or expanded multiple schools since 2025, including a new 555-seat elementary school and additions at three others, according to the BC government.
• Two new schools, Smith Secondary and Smith Middle, are under construction on a shared campus and are expected to open in fall 2027.
• Willoughby, one of Langley's fastest-growing neighbourhoods, is the focus of much of this new school investment.
• Families can check current, school-by-school ratings for Langley on GreatSchools.org or Niche.com before shortlisting neighbourhoods.
• Langley Township's 2026 property tax increase was approved at 3.97%, a factor worth budgeting for alongside school catchment when comparing homes.

How Schools Shape Where Families Buy in Langley

In my experience helping buyers relocate to Langley, the conversation almost always starts with catchment boundaries, not square footage. A family will fall in love with a home, and then we pull up the school catchment map to confirm which elementary and secondary schools it feeds into before making an offer.

That order of operations makes sense. Unlike price, which fluctuates with the market, a school catchment is tied to the property itself. Buying inside a strong catchment is one of the few decisions in a real estate transaction that's fully within your control.

New School Capacity Coming to Langley

The Township of Langley has seen substantial new school investment recently, largely concentrated in fast-growing areas. According to the Province of British Columbia, Josette Dandurand Elementary opened in September 2025 with 555 new seats, alongside additions of 150 seats at Lynn Fripps Elementary, 200 seats at Nicomekl Elementary, and 275 seats at Peter Ewart Middle School.

Looking ahead, Smith Secondary and Smith Middle School are under construction as a shared campus, expected to open in fall 2027, with room for 1,900 secondary students and 900 middle school students. A 300-seat addition to R.E. Mountain Secondary is also planned, with construction anticipated to start in summer 2027, specifically to support growth in the Willoughby area.

For buyers, this is a meaningful signal. New school construction tends to follow population growth, and the concentration of projects in Willoughby confirms what I'm already seeing on the ground: it's one of the most active family-buyer markets in Langley right now.

Willoughby: Langley's Growth Corridor for Families

Willoughby has become the neighbourhood I point most young families toward when school access and new construction are top priorities. It's home to a mix of townhomes and single-family homes built within the last decade, and the ongoing school investment described above is centred largely in this area.

A planned partnership between the Township of Langley, the Province, and the school district is also exploring an accelerated replacement of Willoughby Elementary alongside new community amenities, according to the BC government. That kind of coordinated planning is a good sign for long-term family livability in the neighbourhood.

Established Neighbourhoods with Long-Standing Schools

Not every family wants brand-new construction. Murrayville, Brookswood, and Walnut Grove all have established schools with long track records, including Brookswood Secondary and H.D. Stafford Middle School. These neighbourhoods tend to have more mature trees, larger lots, and a slower pace, which appeals to buyers moving from denser parts of Metro Vancouver.

Langley Fine Arts School, a specialty program serving students from kindergarten through grade 12, is another draw for families with kids interested in visual arts, music, dance, or theatre. Programs like this are worth factoring into your search if a specific enrichment stream matters to your family.

What to Check Before You Buy for a School Catchment

I always recommend families verify school catchment boundaries directly with School District 35 before writing an offer, since boundaries can shift as new schools open. It's also worth checking current school ratings and parent reviews on GreatSchools.org or Niche.com, since these are updated more frequently than most real estate listings.

Property taxes are part of this equation too. Langley Township council approved a 3.97% property tax increase for 2026, which is worth factoring into your monthly budget alongside mortgage costs when comparing homes in different catchments.

Frequently Asked Questions About Schools in Langley, BC

Q: What school district serves Langley, BC?
Langley Township and Langley City fall under School District 35 (Langley), which includes elementary, middle, and secondary schools along with French Immersion and specialty programs like Langley Fine Arts School.

Q: Are new schools being built in Langley?
Yes. Smith Secondary and Smith Middle School are under construction on a shared campus expected to open in fall 2027, and a 300-seat addition is planned for R.E. Mountain Secondary, according to the BC government.

Q: Which Langley neighbourhood has the most new school investment?
Willoughby has seen the most recent school investment, including a new elementary school, several additions at existing schools, and planning for a Willoughby Elementary replacement.

Q: How do I find out which school catchment a Langley home is in?
Contact School District 35 directly or ask your real estate agent to confirm the catchment boundary for a specific property before you make an offer, since boundaries can change.

Q: Where can I find current ratings for Langley schools?
GreatSchools.org and Niche.com both publish regularly updated, school-by-school ratings and reviews for the Langley area.

Ready to Find the Right School Catchment in Langley?

Choosing a home in Langley often comes down to matching the right catchment to your family's priorities, whether that's brand-new facilities in Willoughby or the established character of Brookswood and Murrayville. I've helped families work through exactly this decision, from confirming catchment boundaries to timing offers around school calendars.

If you're planning a move to Langley and want a clearer picture of which neighbourhoods fit your family's needs, I'd love to help. Call me at (778) 960-8269 or visit stephaniewong.ca to schedule a free consultation and start your search.