All WRDSB elementary students can learn French through two pathways:

• Core French
• French Immersion

Yes. French programs are for all students, including those with special education needs and English language learners. Supports are provided to meet individual needs.  

One of the guiding principles for French as a Second Language (FSL) outlined in A Framework for French as a Second Language in Ontario Schools, Kindergarten to Grade 12 (2013) is that “FSL programs are for all students” (p. 10). For more information, consult the Ontario guide Including Students with Special Education Needs in French as a Second Language Programs.

Yes. Students in French immersion receive programming tailored to their learning needs, just like in core French.

One of the guiding principles for French as a Second Language (FSL) outlined in A Framework for French as a Second Language in Ontario Schools, Kindergarten to Grade 12 (2013) is that “FSL programs are for all students” (p. 10). Participation in FSL programs should reflect the diversity of the student population, including students with special education needs and students who are English language learners. Students will receive an education that is tailored to their individual needs in all French pathways.

Families do not need to speak French. Resources are available through Canadian Parents for French.

Research shows multilingualism has many benefits, including stronger English skills, better career opportunities, and greater cultural awareness.

For more information, visit:

• Framework for French as a Second Language in Ontario Schools, Kindergarten to Grade 12 (2013)
• Supporting Your Child’s Success in French Immersion and Extended French (p. 6)

Changing a student’s pathway from French Immersion to Core French is a significant decision. The process ensures that all available supports have been tried and documented before a change is considered. The following steps outline the required procedure.

• Step 1: Student Support Process

Before requesting a change of pathway, the Student Support Process must be fully implemented and documented.

• Step 2: School Administrator Form

Once all support strategies have been tried and documented, the Change of Pathway from Immersion to Core French form must be completed by the school administrator.

• • This form requires evidence of the strategies used.
  • Supporting data must show that these strategies were implemented over a reasonable period of time.
• Step 3: Superintendent Approval

The Superintendent of Learning Support Services reviews the request.

• • Approval is based on the student’s needs and the parent/guardian’s choice.
  • The Superintendent makes the final decision regarding the pathway change.

For more details, see Administrative Procedure 1000 – French Immersion (Elementary), Section 9.

Canadian Parents for French is a nationwide, research-informed, volunteer organization that furthers bilingualism by promoting opportunities to learn and use French for all those who call Canada home.

Existing schools continue to offer French immersion when there is enough enrolment. The decision to expand into other schools is made by the end of March for the following school year. We consider many factors in expanding the French immersion program to other schools. The factors are listed in Adminstrative Procedure 1000 – French Immersion – Elementary.

Phase 1 (apply by January 31): Priority is given to students who live within the Designated School boundary or who have an approved Out-of-Boundary Acknowledgement Letter on file. These students are entered into the lottery first.

Phase 2 (applications after February 1): Remaining spaces are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, if available.

All students are encouraged to apply. We try to place as many students as possible. We must follow the Education Act class size regulation. If more students want French immersion than there are spots available, waitlists are created.

How do I apply for French immersion?

• Applications are accepted until January 31 (Phase 1) through the lottery system.
• After February 1, applications are processed first‑come, first‑served (Phase 2).
• Apply online at frenchimmersion.wrdsb.ca
• For help, call 519‑570‑0003 ext. 4419 or email frenchprograms@wrdsb.ca.

Students must start the French immersion program at the entry point, Grade 2. Tutoring will not provide your child with the required number of hours in French language instruction to ensure that they are at the same level as their peers.

No. The Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) has only one entry point for French Immersion: Grade 2. Students must secure a spot before the 20th instructional day of their Grade 2 year. After this deadline, new entry into the program is not possible.

However, students in Grade 2 or higher may attend a WRDSB French Immersion school if they are already enrolled in French Immersion elsewhere or have prior French language experience.

You can visit our website: www.wrdsb.ca/french, call 519-570-0003 ext. 4419 or email frenchprograms@wrdsb.ca.

Students anticipating applying for Grade 2 French immersion should attend their Home School for Kindergarten to Grade 1.

Only if they have an approved IS-25-OOB-B Out-of-Boundary Acknowledgement Letter on file at the school. 

Most do, but some schools have limited enrolment due to capacity or site constraints. See the list of limited enrolment schools on our website.

You may apply to another school. Transportation is the responsibility of families.  

Please refer to our Student Transportation policy for details. Due to site constraints and over-enrolment, some schools may limit out-of-boundary registrations for French immersion. Please see the list of limited enrolment schools.

Yes. Siblings may attend the same school, even if they are not enrolled in French immersion.  This does not apply to older siblings if the designated school is JK-6 and the sibling attends a different school for Grades 7 and 8.

During the application process, more students may apply than spots available. In this case, you may be put on a waitlist. While on the waitlist, you can accept a spot at an out-of-boundary school to secure your child’s attendance in the French immersion program. If your child’s designated school has French immersion, they may return to their designated school for Grade 3.  

If a student attends an out-of-boundary school for Grades 2-6 and their Grade 7 designated school (based on the home address) has French immersion, they are to attend that school for Grade 7.  Students who want to attend another school can use the Out-of-Boundary Request process.

We made this change to ensure that designated school applicants have increased access to French immersion. Previously, siblings of students already in the French immersion program and in the same school were given priority during the application process. This reduced opportunities for first-time applicants and, in some WRDSB schools, more than half of the available spaces for Grade 2 French immersion were secured through sibling priority placement. The updated eligibility criteria makes the process more accessible and transparent for all.

Siblings may still be placed in the French immersion program at the same school as their sibling, but the placement is no longer guaranteed; it will depend on the number of spaces available, the number of applicants, and the lottery outcome. 

It is important for us to provide pathways to keep families together. While families may not be able to secure spaces for all siblings in their top-priority school(s), we will do our best to provide options. For example, if a student is not placed in the French immersion program at the same school as their sibling, families will still have the option to have them attend the core French program at the same school as their sibling or for the sibling(s) to move to another school for French immersion if spaces are available

• Transportation is provided only for students attending their designated school, based on their home address.
• Families are responsible for transportation to out‑of‑boundary schools. See our Student Transportation Policy for details.