Education / Schools

English Eligibility

French is the official language of instruction in Quebec and special eligibility is required to attend English schools. Under the Charter of French Language children in the following categories may be enrolled in English-language schools:

1. Children who are permanent residents of Quebec and who qualify for a certificate of eligibility for instruction in English
2. Children who are living in Quebec temporarily and who qualify for a temporary authorization to receive instruction in English.

***A certificate of eligibility is generally given to children:

• who did the majority of their elementary or secondary studies in English in Canada; or
• whose brother or sister did the majority of his or her elementary or secondary studies in English in Canada; or
• whose father or mother did the majority of his or her elementary studies in English in Canada.

Special Cases

• children with severe learning disabilities
• children whose father or mother was declared eligible for instruction in English but who did his or her elementary and secondary studies in French after August 26, 1977.

Click here for more information on English eligibility http://www.meq.gouv.qc.ca/rens/banque/Fiches/F95a.htm

Classes are offered from 5yr old kindergarten (full day) through High School (grade 11 or secondary V).

Public System

The public education system in Quebec is divided along linguistic lines with two school boards in each area - one for the French schools and one for the English. In the West Island of Montreal these two school boards are the Lester B. Pearson School Board for the English side and La Commission Scolaire Marguerite Bourgeoy for the French. All of the schools offer either Catholic religious instruction or non-secular moral education. West Island Schools consistently rank among the top 10 in Quebec.

Within the English school system the Lester B. Pearson Board offers a choice of 4 programs:

• English Program - some schools offer a purely English program (with French as a second language given for 1hr a day), however these are slowly being phased out due to lack of demand.
• Bilingual Program - there are schools in each area offering what is called the Bilingual program which is 50% French and 50% English.
• Immersion Program - there are schools in each area offering the Immersion program which is 85% French and 15% English.
• Enriched French Immersion - some High Schools offer an enriched French Immersion program where the students take the same provincial exams as students in the French school system.

The first three programs listed above are offered in both the Elementary & High schools.
http://www.lbpsb.qc.ca

The French school system only offers English as a second language beginning in Grade 4. There is no English immersion program in the French public school system.
http://www.csmb.qc.ca

Private System

There are also many private schools in the Montreal area, offering instruction in either English or French. Most of these are located closer to downtown Montreal, however there are several located in the West Island.
www.relocatecanada.com/pschoolsqc.html

Many parents of children who are not eligible for English schooling choose to send their children to English private schools. Here are some links to some West Island private schools:

Queen of Angels
http://www.qaa.qc.ca
(Girls High School)

West Island College
http://www.westislandcollege.qc.ca
(Co-Ed High School)

Kuper Academy
www.kuperacademy.ca
(Co-Ed Pre-school, Elementary & High School)

Alexander Von Humboldt School
(German Elementary & High School: German/French/English)
http://www.avh.montreal.qc.ca

Institution Charlemagne
(French Elementary & High School)
www.collegecharlemagne.com

Marie-Claire Academy
(Bilingual Elementary School)
www.academiemarie-claire.qc.ca

College Beaubois
(French High School)
www.collegebeaubois.qc.ca

***Please contact us for information and web links for private schools downtown***

Pre-Schools

There are many Pre-schools (for 3 & 4 yr. olds) that offer programs in both French and English. There are also many that run bilingual programs. They are privately run, though some offer government funding for 4 yr. olds who qualify. Daycare is also available, however space can be limited so register early!

CEGEPs (Post-Secondary)

CEGEP - Collège d'Enseignement Général et Professionnel

• 2-year program of pre-university, equivalent to grades 12 & 13
• 3-year program of professional/technical studies towards special Diploma

The CEGEP programs are government funded but there is no eligibility requirement to attend English CEGEP. In order to attend a Quebec University, a CEGEP diploma (2 year program) is required.

English cegeps
www.johnabbott.qc.ca
www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca
www.marianopolis.edu
www.vaniercollege.qc.ca

French cegep
College Gerald-Godin
www.college-gerald-godin.qc.ca

Universities
Montreal is home to McGill and Concordia Universities (English) and Université de Montréal and Université de Québec à Montréal (French).
www.mcgill.ca
www.concordia.ca
www.umontreal.ca
www.uqam.ca