Montreal Secondary 1 admissions
One calendar for every school on your list.
Plan private-school, public special-program and neighbourhood-school applications from Grade 5 through the start of Secondary 1. Track visits, documents, assessments, offers and backup choices without missing a deadline.
Separate the routes
Three applications can run at the same time
A family may apply to private schools and public special programs while also protecting the designated public-school placement.
Neighbourhood public school
Address and official territory normally determine the regular school. Register during the board or service-centre period to protect priority.
Public special program
PEI, enriched, arts, science or sport options may require a separate form, report cards, selection activity or school-specific deadline.
Private school
Each school controls its own calendar and may use report-card review, an exam, interview, workshop or first-completed-file process.
Master timeline
From Grade 5 to the first day of Secondary 1
This planning calendar is intentionally earlier than many official deadlines so families have time to compare options without rushing the child.
Build the foundation
Strengthen reading, writing, mathematics and independent work. Notice language confidence, interests, learning needs and realistic commute limits.
Create the long list
Identify the designated public school, possible special programs and private options. Compare language, program, school model, travel and budget.
Prepare documents and skills
Save report cards, identity and residence documents. Practise school-specific academic formats while keeping reading and mathematics active.
Visit and submit
Attend open houses, ask targeted questions and complete early applications. Check email and portals for assessment invitations.
Public registration and selection
Complete the applicable public-school process and attend tests, workshops or interviews. Keep the neighbourhood route active as instructed.
Manage offers
Record response and deposit deadlines. Compare the full student experience instead of reacting only to the first offer received.
Confirm and transition
Complete registration documents, transportation and course choices. Notify schools when declining a place and plan support for the transition.
Prepare for Secondary 1
Maintain language and mathematics, practise organization and review school communications, materials, technology and orientation dates.
Official-date examples
How different the calendars can be
These published 2027-2028 examples illustrate why each family needs a separate tracker. They are not universal dates.
| School / system | Route | Published example | Selection snapshot | Parent action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSSDM secondary schools | Public | Secondary registration generally runs through the working days of October. | Neighbourhood priority and separate rules for some programs. | Confirm designated school and special-program instructions. |
| CSSDM open houses | Public | For 2026, events ran from September 15 to October 29. | Visits do not replace registration or program applications. | Reserve multiple dates and bring program questions. |
| College Jean-de-Brebeuf | Private | 2027-2028 Secondary 1 exams were scheduled for September 26-27, 2026. | French components plus mathematical logic. | Submit before the school’s deadline and follow the exam invitation. |
| College Sainte-Anne | Private | 2027-2028 applications: August 10 to September 14, 2026; selected session September 26. | Grade 4 and 5 reports plus an admission session for selected students. | Upload complete reports and monitor the applicant portal. |
| College Notre-Dame | Private | 2027-2028 applications: June 23 to September 30, 2026. | School-record review; no Secondary 1 entrance exam for that cycle. | Prepare Grade 4 and 5 final reports and required documents. |
| College Beaubois | Private | 2027-2028 applications: August 12 to September 20, 2026; workshop September 26. | Grade 4 and 5 reports plus collaborative workshop, not a traditional exam. | Do not over-prepare for a test the school does not use. |
| College Jean-Eudes | Private | 2027-2028 entrance examination: October 3, 2026. | School-specific Secondary 1 entrance process. | Check registration closure before planning around the exam date. |
Dates above were publicly posted for the specified cycle and can change in future years. A school may close applications once capacity or a deadline is reached.
Document folder
Prepare once, customize for each school
Use clear PDF filenames and keep originals available. Schools may request different combinations or updated versions.
School reports
Grade 4 and Grade 5 final reports are common. Some processes request the latest current-year report or additional academic records.
Identity documents
Birth certificate and, where applicable, citizenship, permanent-residence or immigration documents for the student and parents.
Address and eligibility
Proofs of residence for public-school territory and English-education eligibility documentation where relevant.
Learning information
Intervention plan and professional reports, when applicable, so the school can understand needs and available accommodations.
Healthy preparation
Prepare for the real process, not a generic exam
A student’s time is limited. The most effective plan begins with broad academic foundations, then adds only the formats used by the shortlisted schools.
French or English literacy
Reading comprehension, vocabulary, written organization, grammar and following multi-step instructions.
Mathematics and reasoning
Grade-appropriate number sense, problem solving, mathematical language, accuracy and logical reasoning under time limits.
Interview and collaboration
Speaking naturally about interests, listening, contributing to a group and showing curiosity without memorized performance.
Organization and stamina
Managing time, checking work, staying calm after a difficult item and maintaining sleep and normal activities during admission season.
Open-house strategy
Visit with questions, not only impressions
A polished presentation can show possibilities. Specific questions reveal how the school works for an ordinary student on an ordinary week.
Academic fit
- What is the weekly workload?
- How are students supported after difficulty?
- What are continuation rules for special programs?
- How flexible are course and program changes?
Student life
- How large are classes and grade cohorts?
- What clubs and activities are realistically accessible?
- How are new students integrated?
- What support exists for language or learning needs?
Family logistics
- What does transportation actually look like?
- Which costs are outside tuition or standard fees?
- When are practices and activities scheduled?
- Which deadlines follow an admission offer?
Offer management
Make the decision before the clock starts
Families may receive results at different times. Agree on priorities early so a short reply deadline does not make the decision for you.
Define non-negotiables
Language route, commute, student support, budget and the child’s learning needs should be clear before offers arrive.
Score the full fit
Compare academics, environment, daily travel, workload, activities and the student’s own response rather than prestige alone.
Read the offer carefully
Record the acceptance deadline, registration payment, refund conditions, documents and whether another pending choice remains realistic.
College HC support
Keep the family calendar and preparation aligned
Greater Montreal families can combine in-person and online support. Families elsewhere in Quebec are primarily supported online.
School-list planning
Organize target, match and alternative options across private schools, public special programs and the neighbourhood route.
Admission preparation
Strengthen French, English, mathematics, reasoning and interview readiness according to the actual school processes.
Deadline organization
Build one clear tracker for applications, documents, visits, assessments, results, replies and final registration.
Want a Secondary 1 plan built around your child?
Book a focused conversation about grade level, language profile, school record, location, target schools and preparation priorities.
Frequently asked questions
Secondary 1 admission planning
When should preparation begin?
General academic foundations can be strengthened throughout Grade 5. School research is useful by spring, with focused and age-appropriate preparation during the summer and early Grade 6 after the shortlist is clear.
Do all private schools hold an entrance exam?
No. Some use exams, while others rely on report cards, minimum marks, interviews, workshops or a combination. Preparing for a generic private-school test can waste time if the target school uses another method.
Should we keep the neighbourhood public-school option?
Usually yes, until another placement is fully confirmed. Follow the local service centre or board’s procedure so a special-program or private-school application does not accidentally leave the child without a protected regular route.
Which report cards are normally requested?
Grade 4 and Grade 5 final reports are commonly requested for Secondary 1 admission, but schools can ask for current-year results or different records. Check each application checklist.
What if application dates overlap?
Prioritize non-movable assessments and hard deadlines, submit documents early and ask schools directly about conflicts. Do not assume an alternate date will be offered.
Sources and transparency
Check the current cycle before acting
System sources: Quebec public-school registration, CSSDM open houses and secondary registration and Federation of Private Educational Institutions open-house and admission directory.
School examples: College Jean-de-Brebeuf, College Sainte-Anne, College Notre-Dame, College Beaubois and College Jean-Eudes.
Information reviewed October 15, 2026. College HC is not affiliated with the schools or public authorities listed. Dates, documents, criteria, fees and available places can change without notice.