Families are invited to learn about York Catholic’s French Immersion Program

Applications open December 3rd for children entering Grade 1 next September

The York Catholic District School Board offers the French Immersion program at 15 elementary schools, and five high schools throughout York Region. The program aims to provide non-francophone children with a high degree of proficiency in the French language. Although the curriculum is the same as in the English-language program, the language of instruction for most subjects is in French in the primary grades.

York Catholic’s elementary French Immersion program begins in Grade 1 and is a prerequisite for the Board’s secondary French Immersion program. In most instances, students cannot enter the French Immersion program after Grade 1.

A series of virtual public information sessions will be hosted by the 15 elementary schools offering the French Immersion program, from November 23 – December 2, 2021. These information sessions will provide an overview of the French Immersion program and explain the criteria for enrolment, as well as the application and registration processes. Information about transportation will also be shared and participants will have a chance to ask questions. Parents and guardians interested in learning more about the program or enrolling their children for the 2022 -23 school year, which starts next September, are strongly encouraged to attend the information session for their local French Immersion school.

Children born in 2016 who will begin Grade 1 in September 2022, are eligible to apply for the program. Parents can submit an application for their children online from December 3, 2021 – January 21, 2022.  After the application period closes and depending on the number of applicants, a lottery may be conducted.

Following is a list of the public information sessions for each elementary French Immersion school. Parents and guardians should attend the information session for their local French Immersion school, which can be determined using the school locator. Parents and guardians will need to pre-register to attend the virtual information session by filling out the form on the local French Immersion school’s website, at least 24 hours before the scheduled event.

The elementary French Immersion program is a prerequisite for the Board’s secondary French Immersion program. The secondary French Immersion program is currently available at Father Bressani CHS in Woodbridge, Our Lady of the Lake CA in Georgina, Our Lady Queen of the World CA in Richmond Hill, St. Brother Andre CHS in Markham, and St. Maximilian Kolbe CHS in Aurora. Information for students entering high school next year is available at the high school open houses.

List of Elementary French Immersion Information Sessions and Schools For parents/guardians of students entering Grade 1 in September 2022

Participants must pre-register to attend a virtual information session by completing the form on their local French Immersion school’s website, at least 24 hours before the scheduled event. Please click on the school’s name to visit their school website.