Existing schools continue to offer French Immersion when there is enough interest (a minimum of 18 Grade 1 students). The decision to expand into other schools is made by the end of March for the following school year. We may consider offering the French Immersion program at any school if there is enough interest (a minimum of 36 students Grade 1 students) and available space. Please note that these are just some of the factors staff consider when determining which schools will offer a French Immersion program.

Students who live within the boundary of the homeschool or have an older sibling enrolled in the French Immersion program are prioritized in the lottery if they apply by January 31 (Phase 1). We take all applications after February 1 on a first-come, first-served basis where there is space (Phase 2).

All students are encouraged to apply. We try to place as many students as possible. We must follow the Ministry of Education class size guidelines. If more students want French Immersion than spots available, waiting lists are created.

We use a lottery system to form our Grade 1 French Immersion classes. Each year, applications to the lottery are accepted until January 31 (Phase 1). You can apply online at www.wrdsb.ca/french. We take applications until the 20th school day of the Grade 1 year (Phase 2). If you need help, call 519-570-0003 ext. 4419 or email frenchprograms@wrdsb.ca.

Parents must decide to start their child on the French Immersion pathway in Grade 1. 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 by Grade 2.

Each case is assessed individually depending on the type of French program in which the student was previously enrolled and the student’s written and spoken French level. An assessment would be required before your child can attend the program.

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

A Principal must accept an out of boundary student for Kindergarten if the student has a sibling enrolled in the French Immersion program at the school. Otherwise, the decision to accept the student is made by the principal of the school with the French Immersion program, in consultation with the Principal of the school the child normally would attend.

In this case, the student is considered to be from within the school boundary only if they had a sibling currently enrolled in the French Immersion program.

Most schools can accept out of boundary students. However, due to capacity, some schools may not be able to accept any out of boundary students, or only a limited number.

You may apply at an out of boundary school if your home school does not offer French Immersion. Please note that transportation to an out of boundary school is the responsibility of the parent/caregiver. 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 Grade 1 French Immersion. Please see the list of limited enrolment schools.

Yes. If your child is enrolled in French Immersion, then the child’s siblings can attend that same school. The siblings can be older or younger than the child in French Immersion, and the siblings do not need to be enrolled in French Immersion. This does not apply to older siblings if the home school is JK-6 and the sibling attends a different school for Grades 7 and 8.

Transportation (busing) to an out-of-boundary school for French Immersion is not provided. The distance guidelines used to decide whether or not a student can ride a school bus are only for students attending their home school for the French Immersion program.

Please refer to our Student Transportation policy for details.