MONTREAL EDUCATION SYSTEM OVERVIEW

The Montreal Education System

Public education,from preschool to college is free for Québec residents and for children of foreign workers on temporary work permits.

However, there are many private schools for elementary and secondary schooling and tuition fees vary from $1,500 to $3,500 per year. At the university level, tuition fees in Greater Montréal are among the lowest in North America at about $2,500 per year. For foreign students, the fees vary from $7,000 to $10,000, depending on the number of credits in the program selected. All non-Québec students are required to pay tuition, but some exceptions may apply (e.g.: members of diplomatic missions or non-governmental organizations).

The education system offers four levels of instruction: elementary education (including pre-school), secondary education, college and university education.

School attendance is compulsory for all children starting the year in which they turn 6 until the end of the school year in which they turn 16.

The school year begins in late August or early September and usually ends in May at the post-secondary level and on June 24 at the elementary and secondary school level. Children may register at any time of the year.

In the public system, education is free of charge from kindergarten to Cegep, inclusive. Average tuition fees in Québec universities are among the lowest in North America (average annual cost: $1,680).

The education system is made up of public and private institutions offering instruction in French or English, from kindergarten to university. The network of private institutions is authorized to provide pre-school, elementary and secondary education.

Some establishments offer specialized services to the handicapped or students with adjustment difficulties or learning disabilities.

Early childhood services Early childhood services allow children 5 and under to benefit from supervision that fosters their development, to gradually familiarize themselves with a stimulating learning environment, and to acquire skills that will ensure their scholastic success.

The quality of the services offered is assured by programming that stimulates the child, follow-up to learning, participation by the parents, and regular attendance by the child.

Montreal Education System and Foreign workers

Foreign workers employed temporarily in Québec may choose the language (French or English) and the institution in which their children are educated for the duration of their stay.

Children registered in the French-language public system but who do not speak French benefit free of charge from reception classes in order to facilitate their integration into regular classes.

Foreign students

The ministère de l'Éducation du Québec makes available to foreign students, i.e. to individuals who are neither Canadian citizens nor possess a permanent residence visa, certain measures intended to help them prepare for and engage in their studies.

In conjunction with intergovernmental agreements, a limited number of foreign students from 50 countries or national agencies with which Québec has signed an agreement to this effect may benefit from an exemption from the additional tuition fees normally demanded. However, these students must pay the same tuition fees as Québec students, which average $1,680 a year at the university level.

The Cegep network

The Cegep network offers post-secondary programs. Since 1967, the Québec education system has included a unique educational establishment, the general and vocational college (Cegep), which follows secondary school and precedes university.

The Cegep is noteworthy in that it offers pre-university and technical training to prepare graduates for the labour market. Regardless of the program in which they register, students receive general training.

Both young and adult students attend Cegeps.

In the Montréal area, 12 public colleges, 43 private colleges, 4 private secondary schools and colleges, 3 governmental schools which provide specialized training in sectors such as tourism and the hotel and catering industry, music, ..., offer Cegep, pre-university and technical training.

The following establishments prepare candidates for the examinations of the international baccalaureate, whose value and prestige are recognized by most major universities the world over:

International baccalaureate/Natural sciences

International baccalaureate/Human sciences