Foreign Students
Choose Québec for Your Children's Education
Québec offers an outstanding educational environment. Both safe and vibrant, life in Québec comes with a wide range of advantages. Situated at the crossroads of North American and European cultures, Québec benefits from a high-quality education system.
Families from around the world choose to enroll their children in Québec’s private schools. These students have the option of living in school residences or with host families.
Benefits for international students
By choosing a private school in Québec, families of international students benefit from numerous advantages.
Offering a safe, caring, and stimulating environment, Québec private schools adopt a student-centered teaching approach. Whether it’s through specialized programs, academic excellence, or school residences, Québec private schools offer several benefits for international students:
- Québec is safe. Moreover, it offers a healthy living environment and a quality education.
- Students have the option to attend French-speaking or English-speaking schools.
- All French-language institutions teach English as a second language.
- Many schools offer the opportunity to learn a third language.
- International study programs are offered in some schools.
- Several private schools have residences that can accommodate international students. Families who wish to do so can also be connected with host families that meet high selection criteria.
- In the latest edition of the international PISA academic ranking test, students from Québec private schools achieved results well above the international averages in science, mathematics, and reading.
- A wide range of sports and arts programs is offered, and many extracurricular activities are organized by the schools.
- Québec is recognized for its dynamism in education, and Québec private schools are leaders in pedagogical innovation.
- Private schools aim to help each child develop autonomy, judgment, and creativity while acquiring solid knowledge in all core subjects.
- Many private schools offer day camps during the summer.
- By earning a secondary school diploma in Québec, your child will have easier access to Québec colleges and universities, which enjoy an excellent international reputation.
The Québec education system
The Québec education system is internationally recognized for its excellence, notably due to its science, sports, and arts programs. This system is divided into four levels: preschool, elementary and secondary, college, and university. Private schools recognized by the Ministry of Education also welcome foreign students.
- Preschool education, also called kindergarten, welcomes students aged 4 to 5 years.
- Elementary education spans six years. Students enroll in Grade 1 during the year they turn 6, provided their birthday falls before September 30.
- Secondary education provides students with general and vocational training over 5 years.
- College education is divided into pre-university programs lasting 2 years and technical programs lasting 3 years.
- University education leads to the attainment of a bachelor’s degree (1st cycle), a master’s degree (2nd cycle), or a doctorate (3rd cycle). Many universities also offer short programs.
To learn more about the specifics of the education system, you can visit the website of the Ministry of Education of Québec:
Admission process
Admission procedures vary from one school to another. We encourage you to visit the Admission section of the websites of the schools you are interested in. Here, you will find general information about admission to private schools in Québec.
Québec is calling you!
Discover the opportunities offered by private schools and find the best school for your child!