Helping your child adapt to the Quebec school system

Whether you are new to the country or to the province, big moves can bring daunting changes. To help you get your bearings, here is an overview of the most important aspects of the Quebec school system:

• The school system in Quebec is slightly different from that of other countries because high school graduates attend college (from age 17) before entering university.

• The system has four levels:

  • Preschool (also known as kindergarten): Generally begins at age 4 or 5. Kindergarten is not compulsory, but it is strongly recommended, especially for children who do not speak French. It allows them to start learning the language and prepares them for elementary school.

  • Elementary and high school:

    • Elementary school is divided into three cycles: Cycle 1 (Grades 1 and 2), Cycle 2 (Grades 3 and 4), and Cycle 3 (Grades 5 and 6).

    • High school is divided into two cycles: Cycle 1 (Secondary I and II) and Cycle 2 (Secondary III, IV, and V).

• School is compulsory for all children aged 6 to 16. Access to educational services is free at both the elementary and high school level for all Quebec residents.

• College: Divided into pre-university and technical training.

  • Pre-university training (two years) provides access to university.

  • Vocational training (three years) provides access to the job market and to university, sometimes under certain conditions.

• University: University studies include bachelor’s (undergraduate), master’s (graduate), and doctorate (postgraduate) programs.

Regular, open communication with your child’s teachers and school team is an essential way to help your child integrate at school and support their academic success. Consider meeting with their teacher to discuss their past schooling, specific needs, and strengths and skills, as well as any learning disorders or difficulties they have.

Do not be afraid to ask questions and find out how you can actively contribute to your child’s academic progress. For example, when you have parent-teacher meetings or when you receive report cards and assessments from your child’s teacher, you can take the opportunity to ask about how your child is doing in the classroom.

You can also take your involvement a step further: volunteering to chaperone during class activities and field trips and joining parent committees are great options. By working as a team with your child’s teacher and school staff, you can build strong relationships that will help your child feel a greater sense of belonging at their new school.

Learning the local language upon moving somewhere new is crucial to a child’s ability to adapt and succeed in school. In Quebec, French has been the official language since 1977. It is also the language of instruction for all school subjects (except in the case of English-language schools and second-language courses). Children who learn French are more likely to do well in school and integrate with their peers. Here are a few ways to encourage your child to practise French:

• Organize fun language-related activities at home

• Watch French TV shows and movies together

• Encourage your child to read French books that are appropriate for their level

• Participate in cultural activities, such as by attending story time at the library, going to children’s plays, or visiting museums

• Get involved in community activities, school festivities, and neighborhood events

• Look into extracurricular activities: enrolling your child in sports, arts, or community activities in or outside of school will allow them to make new friends, practise speaking French, and feel more connected to the school community

• Introduce your child to Alloprof’s online games for practising French and reading comprehension, such as Grimoire, Potager en péril, and Magimot

• Etc.

Another invaluable way to help your child adapt to their new school is by creating a good homework environment. Start by ensuring that they have a quiet, well-organized space in which to work and study at home. Then, help them set up an effective homework routine.

Alloprof offers numerous resources that aim to make homework time easier for both students and parents. Here are just a few of them:

• Free homework help services such as the Help Zone and Ask a teacher live chat

• Concept sheets and review guides

• The Motivational Timer, which rewards hard work with fun breaks

• A homework planner

• A fun tool to motivate your child to finish their homework

• Etc.

To help familiarize yourself with the Quebec school system, we recommend reading our guide for newcomers and our related articles. Here are a few examples:

• What is a welcoming class?

• How to help your child transition to a new school

• Understanding Quebec’s education system

• A short glossary of school-related terms for parents and grandparents

• Everything you need to know about registering for kindergarten

• 5 activities to do with your child to prepare for kindergarten

• What is the difference between CPEs and kindergarten for 4-year-olds?

• Understanding your child’s report card and Your child’s first assessment

• Starting kindergarten: What to expect in the first days

• How to support a child who is going to school in a language you do not speak