What types of schools do most expats in your city choose for their children?

Quebec residents are fortunate to have access to some of the best learning institutions in the country. Whatever level of education you seek - from junior kindergarten to university preparatory or adult learning courses -Quebec's public and private schools offer excellent programs to suit the needs of most students.

Eligibility for English Language Education

Canadians moving to Quebec from other Canadian provinces may send their children to either French or English schools. For enrolment in an English school a child must first obtain a certificate of eligibility and certain conditions must be met: one Canadian parent must have attended English elementary school elsewhere in Canada or siblings already attending an English school make the child eligible. There are other criteria and parents wishing to enroll their child in an English school should apply to the school's board. Exceptions are also granted for temporary stays up to five years or if a student has special needs. New residents moving into Quebec from outside Canada are normally required to enroll their children in French language schools at primary and secondary levels. French is taught and is compulsory in every English school as is English in French schools, but there are also French immersion options available to your child which you might consider if you and your family expect to remain in Quebec. Information on eligibility can be obtained from the administration office of your local school board or by calling:

English Education Eligibility Bureau

Ministry of Education

Tel:+1 514 873 4630

Web: www.mels.gouv.qc.ca/daasa/rens/banque/fiches/f95afaq.htm

Quebec offers a high quality education system publicly financed from Kindergarten to Junior College. School programs and curriculum are constantly revised by the Ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport du Québec (www.mels.gouv.qc.ca) and individual schools have a committee of parents mandated by the law, that consults with the administration on virtually all educational matters.

As of September 1998, the school board system, formerly divided along confessional lines with Catholic and Protestant school boards, was divided along linguistic lines. There are six school boards on the island of Montreal each offering elementary and secondary schooling with optional religious instruction.

Fédération des établissements d’enseignement privés: www.feep.qc.ca

In addition, there is an extensive network of private English and French schools at the elementary, secondary and college levels. Some cultural and religious communities also have their own schools. Kindergarten, which is not compulsory, was extended to full days and begins at age 5 followed by six years of elementary and five years of secondary schooling. CEGEP (College of General and Professional Studies) offers a two-year preparatory program for University and a three-year professional program leading to the job market. Of the thirteen public junior colleges in Montreal, four are English.

Montreal has five Universities which provide undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate studies. Two are English: McGill University and Concordia University . The other three are French: L'Université de Montréal, l'Université du Québec à Montréal and L’Université de Laval. The Medical and Engineering faculties of McGill University are ranked numbers one and two in the country. The Medical Faculty of the Université de Montréal and its affiliated Engineering school, Ecole Polytechnique, are ranked in the top five in Canada. Residents of Quebec pay tuition fees which are very reasonable compared to other Universities in North America and are among the lowest in Canada. Ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport du Québec: www.mels.gouv.qc.ca

CHILD CARE SERVICES

Many schools offer child care services on the premises. For children 0-4 years of age, child care is available in daycare centers or in “home daycares”. Early childhood centers offer spaces at a rate of $5 per day from birth through to kindergarten. Only the daycare centers that have signed an agreement with the Ministry of Family and Childhood offer these types of spaces. To consult the directory of daycare centers or home daycares visit the following web site: Ministère de la Famille et des Aînés: www.mfa.gouv.qc.ca
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What are some examples of these schools?

There many public and private schools in and around Montreal; your choice will probably depend on which area you choose to live in.
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Is there a lot of competition for spots in local schools?

Public schools are completely funded by the government through tax revenue. Therefore, there is no competition for spots in local public schools. A predetermined district grid of Montreal depicts the ward you live in and the area in which your child may attend school. In contrast, private schools are highly competitive. When applying to private schools, you will often be required to fill out an enrolment application. They may also require a school interview with parent, child and school head accompanied by the child’s portfolio for enrolment.
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Are pre-schools also widely available (for children approx. 2 to 5 years old)?

There are many pre-schools and daycares both public and private. They offer a wide range of activities for children Daycare services may take children as young as 6 months old. Note, in the Montreal area, demand is high and therefore there are often waiting lists for entry into daycare.
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How are most kids transported to and from school?

Children in Montreal have a variety of options for getting to school. Most schools operate their own bus routes; there is also an excellent public transit system in Montreal that many students use. Additionally, many kids are also driven by their parents or walk to school.
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When does the typical school year start and end?

The school year typically runs from early September through mid-June, during which time children will be in class from approximately 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Schools are closed on all national holidays. In addition, all schools are closed between Christmas and New Year’s Day and for one week in March.
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Is there anything else I should know about local schools?

Please contact your Crown representative with any questions or to arrange school search assistance.
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IMPORTANT NOTE:

Crown Relocations has made every effort to present accurate information. However, regulations, rates and other variables are subject to change and Crown Relocations cannot accept responsibility for the errors that might result. Should you have any questions or need additional information, please contact your local Crown representative.