Une école primaire à Longueuil.
1. The school system in Longueuil
In Quebec, public school is free and mandatory from 6 to 16. In Longueuil, two school networks share the territory.
The Centre de services scolaire Marie-Victorin runs the French public schools. The Riverside School Board runs the English public schools, several of which are in Greenfield Park.
2. Who can attend English school
The Charter of the French Language — often called Bill 101 — restricts access to English public school.
Generally, one of the parents must have received the majority of their elementary education in English in Canada. If you arrive from abroad, your child will go almost always to French school.
3. The welcome class
If your child does not yet speak French, they will be placed in a welcome class. It is an intensive program lasting from 10 months to two years. Once they have enough French, they join a regular class. The program is free.
4. The registration calendar
Registration for the September start happens as early as February-March of the previous year. The CSS Marie-Victorin and the Riverside School Board publish the exact dates each winter on their sites.
If you arrive mid-year, you can register your child, but spots in the neighbourhood school may be limited. The sooner you contact the appropriate CSS, the better.
5. Documents required for registration
Prepare the following documents:
- Birth certificate of the child
- Proof of residence in Longueuil (lease, Hydro-Québec bill)
- Quebec Selection Certificate or other immigration status
- Vaccination record
- School report card from the previous year
- Copy of passports
6. Choosing between the two networks at a glance
Here are the main differences between the two public school networks in Longueuil.
For most immigrant families, the decision is made by law: without a certificate, it is the CSS Marie-Victorin and French school. The welcome class takes in children who do not yet speak French.
Families who are already eligible often choose Greenfield Park, where the concentration of Riverside schools is the highest on the South Shore.
| Criterion | CSS Marie-Victorin | Riverside School Board |
|---|---|---|
| Language of instruction | French | English |
| Accessibility | All residents | Eligibility certificate required |
| Schools concentrated | All of Longueuil | Mainly Greenfield Park |
| Welcome class | Yes (French as a second language) | Yes (English as a second language) |
| Daycare service | Yes, around $9/day | Yes, around $9/day |
| School calendar | Late August to late June | Late August to late June |
7. Steps to register your child
Here is the step-by-step process:
- Find your neighbourhood school on the CSS Marie-Victorin site
- Gather all the documents listed in section 5
- Book an appointment with the CSS registration office
- For children who don't speak French: take the language evaluation
- Confirm the registration and receive the schedule
- Register your child for school-based daycare if needed
8. School-based daycare
Most Longueuil primary schools offer a school daycare on-site before and after class, plus on pedagogical days. The rate is government-regulated — around $9/day for a regular day.
Registration happens at the same time as school registration, but spots are limited: confirm early.
9. Frequently asked questions
The most common questions from new parents in Longueuil: how to know the neighbourhood school, how long the welcome class lasts, can you choose private school, and what to do if you arrive mid-year.
How do I know which school is attached to my address?
In Longueuil, public schools are assigned by address — not by preference. Use the Trouver mon école tool on the CSS Marie-Victorin site (or the equivalent on the Riverside School Board for English schools). Enter the exact address and the assigned school appears for primary and secondary.
Verify before signing a lease. Specialized programs (international, music, arts-études) often have entry tests and do not follow address sectorization.
How long will my child stay in the welcome class?
Between 10 months and two years, depending on age, prior schooling and pace. Younger children (6 to 9 years old) usually transition into a regular class in one school year. Older children often need 18 to 24 months.
Some schools do partial integration: physical education, arts and music with regular peers from the start. Ask the school which model they use.
Can we choose a private school in Longueuil?
Yes. The South Shore has many subsidized private schools whose fees run between $4,000 and $8,000/year, plus the uniform and supplies. Several have entrance exams or interviews; spots fill up early — apply in the fall for the following school year.
Bill 101 also applies to the private sector: the French stream is mandatory until the end of secondary. If you're considering private, visit two or three schools and ask about the equivalent of the welcome class.
What to do if we arrive in Longueuil mid-school-year?
Contact immediately the registration office of the CSS Marie-Victorin, even before your move-in date if possible. Mid-year placement is allowed by law — your child has the right to attend school — but the assigned school may not be the closest one.
The welcome-class evaluation usually happens within 2 to 3 weeks of registration. Bring all documents from section 5 to the first appointment to avoid back-and-forth.
10. See also
To go further on schooling and family life in Longueuil:
- Read the Quebec school system to understand the steps from preschool to cégep.
- Consult first steps in Longueuil for the library, the 311 line and the municipal services that support back-to-school.
- Prepare your move with finding housing in Longueuil to choose a sector near the target school.
Author's Note: Registering your child is one of the most important steps of your first year. Visit the Centre de services scolaire as early as possible — the welcome-class evaluation can take a few weeks.
