Abbotsford

District Overview

Our Mission: Preparing and inspiring our students for a lifetime of success through Respect, Opportunity, and Innovation.

Our Vision: A world-class, innovative, and individualized educational experience for every student.

Our Values: Respect, Trust, Integrity, Communication, Teamwork.

Our Achievement Goals: To improve student achievement for all learners. To improve the school completion rates of all students.

Regional Diversity

Abbotsford is the third most ethnically and culturally diverse community in Canada. More than 52 languages are spoken in our district and we have a growing immigrant population: 19.4 % of residents speak neither English nor French as a First Language, and 14% of the population indicates they speak Punjabi at home.

Abbotsford has the second-highest Aboriginal student population in the Fraser Valley.

A report published by BC Stats in April 2010 shows that overall enrolment in the Abbotsford School District is predicted to have bottomed out in 2009 and to begin a gradual increase to 19,500 students by 2013.

A ten year prediction shows a projected enrolment of just fewer than 22,000 in 2019. Kindergarten enrolment trends for Abbotsford project a slight increase from 1,360 in 2010 to 1,417 in 2013, and 1,504 by 2019. In short, we will see modest growth in enrolment over the next ten year period.

Specialty Programs

We offer programs of choice in the integrated arts, traditional and French immersion streams. At the secondary level, we provide IB and AP, as well as career and technology programs so students can earn university credits while attending high school. Student athletes can enrol in one of three sports academies.

Our Virtual School is a flexible alternative, and our thriving international student program provides distinctive educational and cultural experiences for international students.

StrongStarts in Abbotsford School District – the best ‘first introduction’ to schools, and support for families from Abbotsford School District on Vimeo.

Community Culture

Located in the heart of the Fraser Valley, with a population of more than 135,000, Abbotsford is BC’s fifth largest and fastest-growing city. Abbotsford is an increasingly popular place to live and work, with its affordable housing, open spaces and rich opportunities for recreational and cultural experiences.

Draw for Employees

Our innovative professional development model includes a facilitator in elementary and middle schools dedicated to creating vibrant professional learning communities. We also offer a successful teacher mentoring program, and opportunities for new teachers and administrators in a variety of educational settings.

See the District Strategic Plan for 2014-18

Salary and Benefits

Teachers typically receive a comprehensive benefits package including:

• medical, dental, and extended health plans;
• group life insurance benefits;
• teachers’ pension;
• extended health benefits for dependents of deceased employees;
• accidental disability insurance;
• salary indemnity plan benefit;
• supplemental employment benefits on maternity leave;
• employee and family assistance programs.

Allowances

Teachers in positions with special responsibilities, e.g. department heads, teacher consultants, teacher coordinators, counsellors, psychologists, alternate school teachers, speech pathologists, may receive a financial allowance of $2,000-$4,000 annually.

Teachers working in remote and rural schools may also receive a recruitment allowance, and an annual retention allowance. Learn more about teacher salaries with the Salary Finder tool.

For specific details about Abbotsford’s compensation, salary, and benefits, please refer to their collective agreement.