Newcomer’s Guide to Quebec Schools
Your child’s first school steps in Quebec.
A practical guide to registration, French-language support, grade placement, school routines and future planning—from your first address to a confident start in class.
The education map
Understand the Quebec pathway
Knowing the sequence helps families interpret grade placement, graduation requirements and future applications.
Preschool
Kindergarten may begin at age 4 or 5. Kindergarten is not the same as Grade 1 and is generally not compulsory.
Elementary
Six years of primary education. Compulsory attendance begins from the school year associated with age six.
Secondary
Secondary 1–5 leads toward the Quebec Secondary School Diploma (DES) or other qualification pathways.
CEGEP
Two-year pre-university or three-year technical programs normally follow Secondary 5 before university or work.
Your first month
Eight practical actions
Complete these in order and keep copies of every document submitted.
Secure an address
Your residential address determines the French service centre or English board territory and basin school.
Contact the authority
Use the official territory tool or call the school service centre—not only the nearest school.
Prepare documents
Gather identity, residence, immigration, custody, vaccination and previous-school records as requested.
Submit registration
Follow the authority’s online or appointment procedure and ask for a written list of anything missing.
Complete assessments
Participate in language, literacy, mathematics or academic assessment when requested.
Confirm placement
Ask which grade, school, class model and start date have been assigned—and why.
Learn the routine
Set up the parent portal, absence procedure, transportation, lunch and after-school arrangements.
Plan the first review
Schedule a check-in after the student has had time to adjust academically, linguistically and socially.
Document checklist
Bring the fullest student file you can
Exact requirements vary, but complete records help the authority make a better placement decision.
Identity and family
Birth certificate showing parents’ names, passport or identity documents, and custody documents where applicable.
Residence
Lease, municipal account, utility bill or other accepted proof showing the current Quebec address.
Immigration status
Documents requested for the child and parents, such as permits, permanent-resident documents, CAQ or other status evidence.
Academic history
Recent report cards, transcripts, course descriptions and translated records when the authority requests them.
Learning and health
Individual education plans, assessments, accommodations, medical information and vaccination records if requested.
Language history
Languages spoken, previous language of instruction, years of schooling and any interruption in formal education.
French support
“Welcome class” is not one single model.
Quebec provides reception and French-learning support, but delivery varies by region, school and student need. Some students learn mainly in a dedicated class; others receive integrated or supplementary support.
SASAF
Reception and support services for learning French and understanding the new school environment.
SLAF
Supplementary French-language support that can reinforce learning within a broader school pathway.
ILSS program
Language, school and social integration learning designed to support entry into French schooling.
Local implementation
The service location, schedule and transition process can differ by authority and available resources.
Questions for the placement meeting
Leave with clear answers
Use these questions to understand the plan instead of accepting an unfamiliar label without explanation.
Why this grade?
Which age, school records, assessments and prior courses were considered in the placement?
Where is French taught?
Dedicated class, integrated classroom, supplementary support—or a combination?
How do other subjects continue?
What happens with mathematics, science, physical education, arts and the student’s strongest subjects?
How is progress reviewed?
What evidence, meeting schedule and team decision will guide the next transition?
The first school year
Expect adjustment in more than language
Students are learning a new curriculum, classroom culture and assessment system at the same time.
| Area | What may feel new | What parents can do | When to ask for help |
|---|---|---|---|
| French | Academic vocabulary develops more slowly than everyday conversation | Read daily, keep a vocabulary notebook and practise complete written answers | When oral confidence rises but reading/writing remains stalled |
| Mathematics | Methods, notation and problem wording may differ from the previous system | Identify concept gaps separately from French comprehension | When the child knows calculations but cannot interpret questions |
| Assessment | Competencies, projects, school marks and ministry exams may be unfamiliar | Ask how each task is weighted and how corrections should be used | When effort is high but results remain inconsistent |
| Organization | Multi-day cycles, portals, rotating rooms and independent deadlines | Build one weekly routine for agenda, portal, homework and materials | When missing work—not understanding—drives the grades |
| Social adjustment | Friendships, identity and confidence may fluctuate | Maintain home-language strengths while creating safe opportunities to join activities | With persistent isolation, school refusal or major behaviour change |
Secondary-school planning
Protect the pathway early
For older newcomers, language integration and graduation planning must happen together.
Build foundations
Prioritize academic French, numeracy, organization and confidence before chasing selective programs.
Understand choices
Review pathways and future course selections before they begin affecting Secondary 4–5 options.
Track graduation and CEGEP
Monitor compulsory units, ministry courses, math/science prerequisites and application deadlines.
Find your local system
Continue with a regional guide
Each region has different authorities, school options, transportation and CEGEP pathways.
Greater Montreal
Downtown, West Island, South Shore, North Shore and Laval.
Gatineau
Hull, Aylmer, Plateau and the Gatineau sector.
Quebec City
Sainte‑Foy, Sillery, Charlesbourg, Beauport and Lévis.
Sherbrooke & Townships
Sherbrooke, Lennoxville and the wider Estrie region.
College HC support
Help the student catch up without losing confidence
We identify whether the immediate barrier is language, curriculum knowledge, study habits—or a combination.
Greater Montreal
When location and schedule allow, newcomer students can combine in-person instruction with online support.
- Initial academic assessment
- French, English, math and science
- Private tutoring and small groups
Across Quebec
Families in other regions can access structured live online learning and regular parent feedback.
- One-to-one or small-group formats
- Quebec curriculum alignment
- Progress reviews and next steps
Frequently asked questions
Starting school in Quebec
Must newcomer children attend French school?
French is normally the language of instruction in Quebec public elementary and secondary schools, subject to exceptions defined by law. Contact an English school board if you believe the child may qualify for English instruction.
Can my child start school during the year?
Contact the school service centre or board as soon as you have the required address and documents. Mid-year procedures and available placements vary, so do not wait for the next general registration period.
Will my child automatically enter a welcome class?
No single model applies everywhere. The authority assesses the student and organizes reception and French support according to needs, regional context and available services.
What is a permanent code?
It is the Quebec education system’s unique student identifier, made of four letters and eight digits. The institution’s admissions office handles the process at first enrolment.
Can College HC decide my child’s official grade placement?
No. Official placement belongs to the school authority. College HC can assess academic skills, explain likely learning gaps and build a preparation or tutoring plan.
A calmer first step
Give your child a clear learning plan after arrival.
Book a consultation to discuss previous schooling, language profile, current grade placement and the subjects that need immediate support.
Book a consultation