Une école à Magog.
1. The school system in Magog
In Quebec, public school is free and mandatory from age 6 to 16.
The Centre de services scolaire des Sommets runs the French public schools. The Eastern Townships School Board runs the English public schools.
2. Public, private or English: an overview of options
Three main paths coexist in the region: the public French network of CSS des Sommets, the private network (annual fees), and the public English network reserved for families eligible under Bill 101.
Compare the main options before filling out your registration.
For the vast majority of immigrant families, the public French school applies automatically. Private remains a parent choice — often for a specific pedagogical project or for a child already comfortable in French. English public school is almost never accessible to newcomers.
| Option | Annual cost | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Public French (CSS des Sommets) | Free | All residents |
| Private French | ~$4,000 to $15,000 | All, subject to availability |
| Public English (ETSB) | Free | Bill 101 — see section 3 |
3. Who can attend English school
The Charter of the French Language — Bill 101 — restricts access to English school.
Generally, 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 — eligibility is documented by the Ministry of Education.
4. The welcome class
If your child does not yet speak French, they will be placed in a welcome class. This is an intensive program lasting from 10 months to two years. The program is free.
In Magog, as in several smaller cities, welcome classes are concentrated in specific schools rather than present everywhere — the child may be assigned to a school other than the closest one during this linguistic-integration period.
5. Required documents
- Birth certificate of the child
- Proof of residence in Magog
- Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) or other immigration status
- Vaccination record
- School report card from the previous year
- Copy of passports
If some documents are in a foreign language, CSS des Sommets generally requires a certified translation for the school report card and birth certificate.
6. Steps to register your child
Here is the step-by-step process:
- Find your neighbourhood school on the CSS des Sommets 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
7. School-based daycare and daily cost
Most Magog primary schools offer a school-based daycare in the morning before class and in the evening after class. The reduced daily rate follows the provincial subsidized-childcare program.
Register your child as soon as the school registration is confirmed — spots are limited and assigned in order. For storm days when school closes, daycare usually closes too; plan a backup plan with a neighbour or family member.
8. Frequently asked questions
The most common questions from newly-arrived Magog families about school registration: kindergarten entry age, welcome-class duration, school-bus access, and what to do if you arrive mid-year.
At what age does my child enter kindergarten in Quebec?
In Quebec, children typically enter 5-year-old kindergarten in September of the year they turn 5 — a child born in February 2021 enters kindergarten in September 2026. The cutoff is October 1: the child must be 5 by September 30 to enter that year.
4-year-old kindergarten exists in some schools (especially priority neighbourhoods) but is not universal in Magog. After kindergarten comes Grade 1, starting in September of the year the child turns 6.
How long will my child stay in welcome class?
Generally 10 months to 2 years, depending on age, prior schooling, and how quickly the child picks up French. Younger children typically integrate the regular class faster than teenagers, who need more time to handle academic French in history or science.
The school re-evaluates progress regularly and integrates the child into the regular class as soon as their French is sufficient. The transition is often gradual: half-time in welcome class, half-time in regular class, before fully transitioning.
Is school transport provided in Magog?
Yes, the CSS des Sommets organizes school buses for students living beyond a minimum distance from their assigned school — generally over 1.6 km for primary and over 2 km for secondary.
The service is free if your child attends the assigned neighbourhood school. If you choose another school, transport is generally not covered by the CSS. The bus stop is set by the CSS and may be a few minutes' walk from your home.
What to do if you arrive in Magog mid-year?
Contact the CSS des Sommets registration office as soon as you have a Magog address. The CSS accepts mid-year registrations and integrates the child as fast as possible — generally within one to three weeks once the documents are complete.
If your child does not speak French, the welcome-class evaluation happens after registration, and placement depends on available spots in the schools that host welcome classes. The school year runs from late August to late June — registering in October, January or April is entirely possible.
9. See also
To go further on schooling and family life in Magog:
- Read the Quebec school system to understand the steps from preschool to cégep.
- Consult first steps in Magog for the library and the 311 line that support back-to-school.
- Prepare your move with finding housing in Magog to target a sector near the desired school.
10. Official sources
Author's Note: Magog being a smaller town, school options are fewer than in Sherbrooke. Visit the CSS des Sommets early — welcome classes are only available at certain specific schools, and the earlier you make contact, the better the chance your child lands close to home.
