Children must be 5 by September 30 of the school year in order to enroll in Kinder (pre-scolaire 5). Some schools offer Pre-K (pre-scolaire 4). Elementary School goes to Grade 6, High School goes to Grade 11. A Derogation Process for children who turn 5 during the school year after Sept. 30 is available through the Centre de services scolaire de Montréal (CSSDM, formerly Commission scolaire de Montreal).
Welcome Class for Non-Francophone Children (Class d'accueil)
The language of instruction in Quebec is French. Children who do not speak French may benefit from the Welcome Class (Classe d'accueil) offered by the French public school system. They will attend class with other children in a similar situation, who are either new to Montreal, or do not speak French. The goal of the program is to immerse the children in intensive French classes for a year in order to prepare them to join regular classes in French. To register for this program, you must contact the CSSDM via email at accueil [at] csdm.qc.ca or leave your request at 514 596-6084.
School Districts and Zones
Children may attend the public school that is within the district of their home address. To attend a school outside the district (libre choix), parents must contact the school board, add their child's name to a waiting list, and wait for a space to become available. Some public schools have special programs and do not register children based on their home address. Instead, they have an admissions test or a lottery and mandatory parent sessions. The registration process for these schools may be during the previous fall. Regular public schools do registration in January and February. Information is available at each school's website or via the school board. Please consult your local public school website and others you may be interested to learn more about registration dates and processes.
French Public School Boards in Montreal
Centre de services scolaire de Montréal (CSSDM)
- Find a school or see Territory Map
Centre de services scolaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys (CSSMB)
Centre de services scolaire Point-de-l'Île (CSSPI)
English Public School Boards in Montreal
- School Finder and School Board Map
Lester B. Pearson School Board
- School Finder by Region or by Street Address or School Board Map
Alternative Schools
There are alternative schools in Montreal including schools offering special programs with emphasis in arts, music, sports, science, and more. The registration process for the alternative schools pertaining to the Centre de services scolaire de Montreal varies. In most cases, parents are required to attend a mandatory pre-admissions info session. For more information, please consult https://csdm.ca/parents-eleves/admission/autres-cas/ for elementary schools, or https://www.cssdm.gouv.qc.ca/secondaire/programmes-volets-particuliers/ for high schools from the CSSDM or visit your school board's website.
Home Schooling
Parents interested in home schooling must contact their school board. It may be done in English or French, but doing so in English does not grant eligibility to study in English in QC. Parents must provide an educational plan for the school board's approval. Home schooling must provide sufficient knowledge and competencies for the child to enter the public or private school system. The school board will conduct discretionary evaluations. For more information, contact your local school board or consult the MELS' Homeschooling framework. Resources and support offered by The Home School Legal Defence Association of Canada and The Canadian Homeschooler's Homeschooling in QC Guide.