Montreal private school guide
Compare the path, not only the school name.
Explore leading private secondary schools across Greater Montreal by language, location, school model and admission process. Build a balanced shortlist before preparing for exams, interviews and applications.
Understand the system
Private schools do not all work the same way
Montreal families are comparing different funding models, languages and admissions processes. These differences affect cost, eligibility and preparation.
Funding and fees
Some schools receive provincial subsidies; others are non-subsidized. Tuition and additional fees can therefore differ substantially.
Language pathway
French, English and bilingual schools follow different language policies. English eligibility rules may apply at some institutions.
Learning environment
Families can choose among co-educational, girls’ and boys’ schools, plus different program concentrations and support models.
Admission method
Selection may use report cards, minimum marks, an entrance exam, a collaborative activity, an interview or a combination.
Comparison starter
Leading Montreal private schools
Use this table to narrow your research. It is a planning tool, not a final ranking or a substitute for each school’s official admissions page.
| School | Area | Language | Model | Admission snapshot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| College Jean-de-Brebeuf | Cote-des-Neiges | French | Girls and boys | Secondary 1 process includes French and mathematical-logic testing; official dates are published annually. |
| College Jean-Eudes | Rosemont | French | Co-educational | Entrance examinations are used for Secondary 1; the school publishes a separate timeline for later grades. |
| College Sainte-Anne | Lachine / Dorval | French | Co-educational | Report cards form part of the review; selected candidates may be invited to an admission session. |
| College Notre-Dame | Cote-des-Neiges | French | Co-educational | Recent Secondary 1 admissions have been based on the school record without an entrance exam. |
| College de Montreal | Central Montreal | French | Co-educational | Application rounds and minimum academic expectations are published on the official admissions page. |
| Pensionnat du Saint-Nom-de-Marie | Outremont | French | Girls | Review the current application window, required documents and selection process directly with the school. |
| Villa Maria | Notre-Dame-de-Grace | FrenchEnglish | Co-educational | French and English sectors are offered; English-sector eligibility requirements must be checked. |
| The Study | Westmount | Bilingual | Girls | Admission can include an interview and assessment. The school recommends beginning well before the entry year. |
| Selwyn House School | Westmount | English | Boys | Applications follow the school’s annual deadline and grade-specific process. |
| Kuper Academy | Kirkland | English | Co-educational | Assessment considers language skills, academic preparation and motivation; it is non-subsidized. |
| College Beaubois | Pierrefonds | French | Co-educational | Secondary 1 selection uses Grade 4 and 5 reports plus a collaborative workshop, rather than a traditional entrance exam. |
| College Charlemagne | West Island | French | Co-educational | Confirm the current admission calendar, school-record requirements and program availability directly. |
School programs and procedures can change. Descriptions above summarize publicly available information reviewed in October 2026 and should be verified before an application decision.
Admissions decoded
Three common selection patterns
Preparation should match the school’s actual process. Practising only traditional exam questions is not enough for every school.
School-record review
The school evaluates academic consistency and readiness over time.
- Grade 4 and Grade 5 report cards
- Core-subject results
- Intervention plans or professional reports, where applicable
Entrance assessment
The format varies by institution and may test both knowledge and reasoning.
- French reading and writing
- Mathematics and logic
- Time management and instructions
Interview or activity
Some schools observe communication, collaboration, motivation and fit.
- Student conversation or family interview
- Collaborative workshop
- Language and learning-readiness assessment
Balanced applications
Build a three-level shortlist
A strong plan protects the child’s options. It combines ambition with realistic travel, language, budget and admission considerations.
Target schools
One or two schools that closely match the family’s priorities but may have highly competitive or less predictable admission.
Match schools
Schools where the student’s current record, language level and learning profile appear aligned with the published expectations.
Alternative pathways
Options the family would genuinely accept, including another private school, a selective public program or a local school with outside enrichment.
Preparation timeline
From Grade 4 to application season
Exact deadlines differ, but early preparation reduces last-minute pressure and gives families time to compare schools thoughtfully.
Build foundations
Strengthen reading, written expression, numeracy and independent work habits. Begin noting the environments in which the child thrives.
Research and diagnose
Visit schools, compare programs and commute, review report-card trends, and identify skill gaps before intensive preparation.
Prepare selectively
Practise the formats actually used by shortlisted schools. Keep reading and mathematics active without turning the whole summer into test season.
Apply and follow up
Track portals, documents, fees, assessment dates and response deadlines. Maintain a balanced school list until registrations are confirmed.
Student-school fit
Look beyond prestige and rank
The most suitable school is one where the student can participate, progress and remain well over several years.
Academic pace
Consider workload, support, enrichment and how the school responds when a capable student encounters difficulty.
Language confidence
A bilingual or second-language environment can be a strength when the child has enough foundation and appropriate support.
Daily life
Commute, extracurricular schedules, homework and family logistics affect the student’s experience as much as a brochure does.
Budget planning
Tuition is only one line of the total cost
Published amounts are not directly comparable unless families also check what is included and whether the school receives public subsidy.
Ask for the complete annual estimate
In addition to tuition, the family may need to budget for:
- Application and registration fees
- Technology, books and school materials
- Uniform, meals and transportation
- Activities, trips and program concentrations
Why the numbers vary
Subsidized private schools and non-subsidized schools have very different fee structures. Grade level, residency or immigration status, transportation and optional services can also change the total.
Best practice: request the latest fee schedule and contract from each school before comparing offers.
College HC support
Turn research into an admission plan
Families in Greater Montreal can combine in-person support with online learning. Families elsewhere can complete the process online.
School shortlist review
Clarify language, location, program and admission priorities, then organize target, match and alternative choices.
Admission preparation
Strengthen French, English, mathematics, reasoning, written responses and interview confidence according to the shortlisted schools.
Application calendar
Create a practical checklist for open houses, report cards, forms, fees, assessments, offers and registration deadlines.
Not sure which schools belong on your list?
Book a focused conversation about your child’s grade, language profile, school record, location and admission goals.
Frequently asked questions
Private school admissions in Montreal
Do all Montreal private schools require an entrance exam?
No. Some schools use formal assessments, while others rely mainly on report cards, minimum subject marks, interviews or collaborative activities. Always prepare for the method used by each school.
When should a family begin preparing?
Grade 5 is a useful time to research and identify academic gaps. Some families begin earlier to strengthen general reading, writing and mathematics, but intensive exam practice should remain age-appropriate and school-specific.
Does a high ranking mean the school is the best choice?
No. A ranking can describe selected academic outcomes using a particular methodology. It does not fully represent language fit, teaching approach, student support, school climate, commute or the child’s wellbeing.
Is English eligibility required for every English private school?
No. Requirements depend partly on the school’s funding model and program. For example, eligibility rules can apply to an English sector at one school, while a non-subsidized institution may state different requirements. Verify directly before applying.
Can College HC help families outside Montreal?
Yes. Greater Montreal families can access in-person and online options. Families in Gatineau, Quebec City, Sherbrooke and other regions are primarily supported online.
Sources and transparency
Verify before you apply
Official admissions sources: College Jean-de-Brebeuf, College Jean-Eudes, College Sainte-Anne, College Notre-Dame, College de Montreal, Villa Maria, The Study, Selwyn House, Kuper Academy and College Beaubois.
Context sources: Quebec education dashboard and Fraser Institute 2025 secondary school report. Rankings are independent publications and are not official Quebec government rankings.
Information reviewed October 15, 2026. College HC is not affiliated with the schools listed. Dates, fees, programs and admission conditions can change without notice.