Enrolling your children in school is one of the top priorities when you move to Montreal with a family. Quebec's school system has its own rules: school boards, French and English schools, welcome classes, and geographic zoning. Many parents discover after arrival that their children cannot necessarily attend an English school, and that the enrollment process often starts several months before the school year. Here is the essentials.
The Quebec school system at a glance
In Quebec, public schools are managed by school boards. In Montreal, there are two main networks: the French-language network (the majority of schools) and the English-language network (a few boards, including the EMSB and LBPSB). School is compulsory from age 5 to 16, and public education is free. Preschool (kindergarten for ages 4 and 5) is not compulsory but is very common.
French school or English school?
This is the question most new parents ask. Unlike the rest of Canada, access to English public schools in Quebec is strictly regulated by the Charter of the French Language (Bill 101). Generally, only children who have already completed most of their schooling in English in Canada (or who have a sibling already enrolled in an English school) can attend English public school.
For the vast majority of newcomers, children will attend French school. This is actually a great opportunity for them to learn French quickly, which is essential for integrating into the Montreal job market.
Which school boards in Montreal?
The French network includes several large boards, such as the Commission scolaire de Montréal (CSM), the Commission scolaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys (CSMB), the Commission scolaire de la Pointe-de-l'Île (CSSPÎ), and the Commission scolaire Riverside. Your place of residence determines your school board and your neighborhood school.
On the English side, there is the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) and the Lester B. Pearson School Board (LBPSB). If you are eligible for the English network, you will deal with these boards.
The enrollment process
Here are the typical steps:
1. Determine your school board based on your residential address;
2. Visit the board's website to find your neighborhood school;
3. Gather documents: child's birth certificate, proof of residence (lease, electricity bill), vaccination record, previous report cards (if available);
4. Submit the enrollment request online through the board's portal, or visit the school office in person;
5. Attend an orientation meeting, where your child's level will be assessed and, if needed, they will be directed to a welcome class.
Welcome classes (for allophone students)
If your child does not speak French, they will most likely be placed in a welcome class (classe d'accueil). These temporary classes host new students for a few months while they learn French and follow part of the regular curriculum. After this period, they join a standard class. It is a very effective system that prevents children from feeling lost in a regular classroom on day one.
When to enroll your child?
The official enrollment period for the September school year usually takes place between February and April. If you arrive mid-year, don't panic: most school boards accept enrollments year-round, but you should act as early as possible, especially in popular neighborhoods where schools fill up fast.
Practical tips for parents
• Start the process before you arrive, if possible. Many boards allow remote enrollment;
• Keep your children's report cards and vaccination documents safe;
• Visit the school before the first day to meet the teacher and see the environment;
• If your child has special needs (allergies, learning differences), mention it at enrollment;
• Plan for school transportation: bus service is offered based on the distance between home and school, but you must request it.