CBC Vancouver explores high school life as a Surrey teen

High school.

Many of us might remember the cliques, the homework, the awkward school dances, and the daily drama. Considering this, would you go back to high school?

That's what CBC Vancouver's Jason D'Souza did for Matheson -- a new special series on the lives of students at L.A. Matheson Secondary School in Surrey, B.C., airing on CBC Radio One's The Early Edition every weekday morning from May 21 to May 31 at 7:10 a.m. PT, with features on CBC Vancouver News at 6 and cbc.ca/bc.

To fully grasp Surrey through the mind and eyes of a teen, D'Souza returned to high school for one month, where he kept a rigid Grade 11 course schedule and let the students lead the conversations.

Surrey boasts the biggest school district in the province, and L.A. Matheson's students share what it's like to attend high school in a city the media so often depicts as one plagued by violence and gangs.

The student-driven stories of Matheson explore:

• Technology in the classroom and the role of social media
• Surrey's reputation and how it impacts students
• Friendships and social life
• Cultural dynamics
• Special needs classes
• The rising prevalence of vaping

Join us May 31 for a live broadcast of The Early Edition at L.A. Matheson Secondary School

To commemorate the last instalment of the series, The Early Edition will broadcast live from L.A. Matheson Secondary School on May 31 from 5:00 a.m. - 8:37 a.m. PT, and you're invited! Can't join us? Tune in to your local CBC Radio One, or listen live at cbc.ca/bc or via the CBC Radio App.

Listen to The Early Edition with Stephen Quinn weekday mornings on CBC Radio One, watch CBC Vancouver News at 6 weekdays with Mike Killeen and Anita Bathe, and read top stories any time online at cbc.ca/bc.

This story is part of a series called Matheson, examining the lives of students at L.A. Matheson Secondary School in Surrey, B.C. CBC journalist Jason D'Souzawas given unparalleled access as hespent a month embedded at thehigh schoolin order to hear unfilteredstories of students today.