Attention Parents of Students in Grade 1!

It is time to decide your child’s French Language pathway!

 

French language programs at the WRDSB begin in Grade 1, where all students learn French through our core French program. In Grade 2, students can choose one of two pathways for French language learning.  

Core French – no application needed

Core French is taught to all students in our elementary and secondary schools as part of the regular Ontario curriculum. Students learn the French language by speaking, reading and writing. Students are automatically enrolled in core French starting in Grade 1. Students in core French will receive between 120 and 150 minutes of French instruction per week.

To learn more about the French program pathways and student learning opportunities, visit our website: www.wrdsb.ca/french/french-programs/

French immersion – application required

Students enrolled in French immersion spend 50 percent of their day learning in French. In Grades 2 through 6, subjects taught in French are French Language Arts,  Social Studies, Visual Arts, Drama/Dance/Music and Physical Education. In Grades 7 and 8, the subjects taught in French are French Language Arts, Geography/History and some combination of Visual Arts, Drama, Music and/or Physical Education. If your child completes French immersion from Grades 1 through 8, they can continue their French pathway in selected high schools.

To learn more about the French immersion pathway, visit our website: https://www.wrdsb.ca/french/

Mark your calendars!  Phase 1 of the Grade 2 French immersion application process for students born in 2019 will start on January 7, 2026, and close on January 31, 2026.  

 

Who is eligible to apply for Grade 2 French immersion?

This year, all children born in 2019 are invited to apply.

How do I apply for French immersion?

You can apply online at www.wrdsb.ca/french. Applications for the program are accepted from January 7, 2026, to January 31, 2026 (Phase 1). You can also subscribe to our website for up-to-date information about the application process.

If I apply, am I guaranteed a spot? 

No, the Waterloo Region District School Board does not guarantee anyone a spot in Grade 2 French immersion. In cases where demand for a Grade 2 French immersion program exceeds our capacity to offer the program, we use a lottery system to determine which students are accepted into the program.

We use a lottery system to establish Grade 2 French immersion classes, with preference given to home school students who apply before January 31. Students who live within the boundary of the neighbourhood school (determined by your home address  – www.stswr.ca) or approved Out-of-Boundary School students are considered “Designated School” students when applying for Grade 2 French immersion. Students in these situations have priority for entry into a Grade 2 French immersion class if they apply by January 31 (Phase 1). All applications after February 1 are processed on a first-come, first-served basis (Phase 2).

Which school will my child attend?

There are no attendance boundaries for French immersion. To learn which schools offer French immersion at the WRDSB, visit www.wrdsb.ca/french/schools. If your home school offers French immersion, we will try to place your child there first. You may also select two additional schools on your application. If your home school does not offer French immersion, you may select three other schools on your application.  

When there is enough interest, physical space available, and the WRDSB has enough French-qualified staff, any school may be considered a possible site for the French immersion program. The decision to expand into other schools is made by the end of March for the following school year. Please note that these are just some factors staff consider when determining which schools will offer an immersion program.

If my child is accepted into the French immersion program, can my other children attend the same school even if it is not their ‘home school’?

 Yes.

Transportation – are French immersion students eligible?

The distance guidelines used to determine eligibility in the WRDSB’s transportation policy apply to students attending their home school for the French immersion program. Transportation to an out-of-boundary school for French immersion is not provided.

When will we know if our child has a spot in the program?

Families will be notified in early March if they have secured a spot in the program. Once a child has been accepted into the program, their spot will be guaranteed for 2 weeks. Families must click the emailed link to accept the placement during that time. If the child is not already attending the school, you must complete any student registration or transfer paperwork provided by the WRDSB. If families decline their spot, students from the waiting list will be contacted to fill those vacancies. 

 Where to find more information about French programs

  1. General Information about French programs:  www.wrdsb.ca/french/french-programs
  2. Schools that have French immersion:  www.wrdsb.ca/french/schools
  3. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s):  www.wrdsb.ca/french/faq

If you have questions that the information on our website has not answered, please contact the Planning Department and Learning Services at frenchprograms@wrdsb.ca.