Une école primaire à Terrebonne.
1. The school system in Terrebonne
In Quebec, public school is free and mandatory from 6 to 16.
The Centre de services scolaire des Affluents runs the French public schools. English schools fall under the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board, but access is limited by law.
2. Who can attend English school
The Charter of the French Language — Bill 101 — restricts access to English school. Generally, one of the parents must have received their elementary education in English in Canada.
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. 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 des Affluents publishes the exact dates each winter on its site.
If you arrive mid-year, you can register your child, but spots in the neighbourhood school may be limited. The sooner you contact the Centre, the better.
5. Documents required for registration
Prepare the following documents:
- Birth certificate of the child
- Proof of residence in Terrebonne
- Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) or other immigration status
- Vaccination record
- School report card from the previous year
- Copy of passports
6. School levels at a glance
Here are the school levels your child will go through, from preschool to university.
The school year begins late August and ends around June 23. For children in the welcome class, plan for 10 months to two years depending on pace.
CEGEP is not mandatory but conditions university access. The public CEGEP is free for Quebec residents — an excellent educational investment after secondary.
| Level | Duration | Typical age | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preschool (kindergarten) | 1 year | 4 to 5 years | Optional at 4, common at 5 |
| Primary | 6 years | 6 to 12 years | Mandatory, free |
| Secondary | 5 years | 12 to 17 years | Mandatory until 16 |
| CEGEP | 2 or 3 years | 17 to 19 years | Pre-university or technical |
| University | 3 years and more | 19 years and more | Bachelor's, master's, doctorate |
7. Steps to register your child
Here is the step-by-step process:
- Find your neighbourhood school on the CSS des Affluents 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 Terrebonne 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 Terrebonne: do you need to live in the school's sector, how long does the welcome class last, can you choose private school, and what to do if you arrive mid-year.
Does my child really have to go to French school?
Almost always yes, if you arrive from abroad. Bill 101 requires French school at primary and secondary level for immigrant children. The exception applies only if one of the parents received their elementary education in English in Canada.
From CEGEP onward, language choice is free. The good news: the combination of French school + welcome class works very well — children become fluent in one or two years.
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 a 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 Terrebonne?
Yes. Quebec 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 Terrebonne mid-school-year?
Contact immediately the registration office of the CSS des Affluents, 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 if yours is full.
The welcome-class evaluation usually happens within two to three 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 Terrebonne:
- Read the Quebec school system to understand the steps from preschool to cégep.
- Consult first steps in Terrebonne for the library and the 311 line that support back-to-school.
- Prepare your move with finding housing in Terrebonne to target a sector near the desired school.
Author's Note: Visit the Centre de services scolaire as early as possible — the welcome-class evaluation and school placement can take a few weeks.
