Une école publique à Laval.
In Laval, public school is free and mandatory from age 6 to 16. Register your child with the Centre de services scolaire de Laval (the French network — the default for most families) — or, if you qualify under Bill 101, with the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board (the English network). Gather your documents (proof of residence, passport, vaccination record), then book an appointment with your neighbourhood school. Children who don't speak French go through a welcome class (classe d'accueil).
1. The school system in Laval
In Quebec, public school is free and mandatory from age 6 to 16. In Laval, two school networks share the territory.
The Centre de services scolaire de Laval (CSS de Laval) runs all the French public schools — it's the default network for the vast majority of families.
The Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board runs the English public schools, but access is restricted by law.
2. Who can attend English school?
The Charter of the French Language — often called Bill 101 — restricts access to English public school.
Generally, for a child to be eligible for English instruction, one parent must have received the majority of their elementary education in English in Canada. If you arrive from abroad, your child will almost always go to French school, even if you speak English at home.
3. CSS de Laval or Sir Wilfrid Laurier — quick comparison
Here are the main differences between the two public school networks covering Laval.
For the vast majority of families newly arrived in Quebec, the CSS de Laval applies. The Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board is an option only if one parent meets the Bill 101 criteria. If in doubt, the Ministry of Education can assess eligibility before registration.
| Criterion | CSS de Laval | Sir Wilfrid Laurier |
|---|---|---|
| Language of instruction | French | English |
| Eligibility | All resident children | Restricted by Bill 101 |
| Default network for newcomers | Yes | No |
| Cost for families | Free | Free |
| Program for children who don't speak the language | Welcome class (10 months to 2 years) | Internal welcome program |
| Levels covered | Preschool to secondary | Preschool to secondary |
| Daycare service and school transport | Yes | Yes |
4. Welcome class — for children who don't speak French
If your child does not yet speak French, they will be placed in a welcome class.
It's an intensive French-language program lasting 10 months to two years. The child takes classes in French, math, and adapted subjects with specialist teachers. Once they master the language enough, they join a regular class for their age.
The program is free and part of the public school system.
5. Documents required for registration
Prepare the following documents before going to the school:
- The birth certificate of your child — original or certified copy
- A proof of residence in Laval — lease, Hydro-Québec bill, or deed
- The Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) or any other immigration document for the child and parent
- The vaccination record
- The school report card from the previous year, translated into French if possible
- A copy of your passport and your child's
6. Steps to register your child
Here are the steps, in order.
- Find your neighbourhood school on the CSS de Laval site (interactive address-based map)
- Gather all the documents listed in section 5
- Book an appointment with the school or the CSS registration office
- For children who don't speak French: take the language evaluation for the welcome class
- Confirm the registration, receive the schedule and the school-supply list
- If needed, register your child for school-based daycare (morning, noon, evening) — separate fees
7. Daycare service and school transport
School-based daycare is offered in most Laval elementary schools, usually from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Budget about 9 dollars per day for families eligible for subsidized services.
The school transport by bus is free for children who live more than 1 kilometre from their school.
8. Frequently asked questions
The most common questions from new families about school registration in Laval: how soon to register after arrival, whether you can choose a school outside your neighbourhood, how much public school actually costs, and how the language evaluation for the welcome class works.
How soon must I register my child after arriving in Laval?
There is no rigid legal deadline tied to arrival, but in Quebec school is mandatory from age 6 to 16. In practice, register your child as soon as possible after arrival — the welcome-class evaluation and school placement can take a few weeks.
If you arrive during the summer, contact the CSS de Laval before back-to-school in late August. If you arrive mid-year, the child can be registered at any time during the school year.
Can I choose a school outside my neighbourhood?
By default, your child is assigned to the neighbourhood school based on your address — that's why proof of residence in Laval is required. The CSS de Laval has an address-based interactive map to find your assigned school.
Requests for a different school are possible but not guaranteed; they depend on available spots in the requested school. Specialized programs (international, sports-études, arts) may admit students from outside the neighbourhood through their own selection process.
Is public school really free, or are there hidden costs?
Tuition fees are free — that's the constant. Other costs vary: school supplies (purchased by the family from a list provided by the school), educational outings, optional materials, and the school-based daycare if you use it (about $9 per day for families eligible for subsidized rates).
The school transport by bus is free for children who live more than 1 kilometre from their assigned school. The welcome class is also free. Budget a few hundred dollars per child per year for supplies and outings.
How does the language evaluation for the welcome class work?
The CSS de Laval evaluates each newly-arrived child individually before assignment. The evaluation measures the child's level of French — listening, speaking, reading, writing — and their academic background.
Based on the results, the child is placed either in a regular class for their age, in a welcome class, or in a transition program. The welcome class itself is intensive: French, math, and adapted subjects with specialist teachers, lasting 10 months to 2 years depending on progress. Once they master the language enough, they integrate into a regular class for their age.
9. See also
To go further on schooling and family life in Laval:
- Read the Quebec school system to understand each step from preschool to cégep.
- Check first steps in Laval for the library, 311 and the city services that support back-to-school.
- Plan your move with finding housing in Laval to pick a sector near the desired school.
10. Official sources
For official, always up-to-date information, see these pages:
Author's Note: Visit the Centre de services scolaire as early as possible — welcome-class evaluation and school placement can take a few weeks. The welcome-class teachers are used to newly arrived families and are often your best allies.
