The YRDSB does not offer Extended French programming. Grade 1 is the entry point for all students in the French Immersion program. Our Core French program is available to all students, beginning in Grade 4.
It is not necessary to attend a York Region school for Senior Kindergarten to gain a spot in Grade 1 French Immersion. For more information about this, please contact your local Community Education Centre.
In YRDSB, French Immersion programming begins in Grade 1.
The French Immersion program is designed for children of non-French speaking families. Families do not need to speak French at home.
There does not need to be French language support at home for the child to complete the work. The French as a Second Language Homework Toolbox/Trousse pour les devoirs 
is a resource that many parents find helpful. This site supports parents who have children in a French Immersion program and wish to assist them with their homework. Homework is an extension of the work begun in class. Students experiencing difficulty with homework should consult their classroom teacher.
There are also helpful French as a Second Language resources available on the Student Tools and Resources page.
Summer school is not available for elementary French Immersion students. Students in grades 7 and 8 have access to courses in English over the summer for literacy and numeracy.
You can use the online school locator to find the French Immersion School within your community.
You may be asked by your school to provide proof of your address. This is a normal step in our registration process. Schools will contact families with any requirements.
School bus information will be available in August for the following school year. You will receive information from your school, or you can check schoolbuscity.com. If your child is eligible for school bus transportation, as per YRDSB’s Transportation Policy, it is recommended that students take the school bus to reduce traffic at the school.
If you have decided to withdraw your child from the French Immersion Program, please contact the French Immersion school where your child was registered, either by email or voicemail, and provide details including your name, your child’s name and your contact information and that you wish for your child to remain at their home school. In schools with overflow, this will allow your spot to be given to a student currently on a waitlist. It will also enable all schools to provide appropriate staffing.
The school is responsible for providing all of the necessary learning materials for your child. However, some families may choose to purchase particular items for their children so that they own their own materials. If you choose to purchase individual items for your child, please wait until you connect with your child’s teacher in September as they may have a list of suggested materials that you are invited to purchase.
If you have any questions, please contact the French Immersion school where your child is registered. You can reach out via email or leave a message on the school voicemail and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.
This is a very different year, due to school closures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Our schools and staff will be making every effort to find ways to get to know students and families as soon as this is possible. The health and safety of our students, families, staff and community remains our priority at this time. We look forward to meeting everyone in person as soon as it is safe to do so.
For information about child care options at your child’s new French Immersion school, please send an email to the FI school and they will be able to provide you with the contact information, or see the child care directory.
You may find it helpful to visit the school’s website where you can find information about the school, including bell times, messages from the principal and other interesting activities that have taken place at the school. You may also wish to see if the school has an official Twitter account, as up-to-date information is often shared with families on social media.
Please see this resource: Supporting Your Child’s Success in French Immersion and Extended French Elementary Schools
If you’d like to play an active role at the school level, you are always welcome to attend School Council Meetings. Information will be shared when school resumes in the fall. There are many opportunities to volunteer in the school. Please reach out to your school in the fall if you’re interested in learning more.