What is the difference between French schools and Immersion schools?

French schools don’t belong to the same board as Immersion schools and are accessible to French-language right-holders. They offer education in French with the exception of English courses. Some Secondary French schools propose IB (international baccalaureate) with most of the courses in French.

We don’t speak French at home, but I want my child to enter a French school?

Then you are likely not in a position to help your child and that is a point to take into consideration.

For instance, communication parents/teachers is in English in Immersion schools while… all in French in the French ones!

Generally, your child has the opportunity to enter a French school if he is coming from a Canadian Institution teaching French.

Keep in mind, that a French school will expose your child extensively to French since he is supposed to have been initiated before entering school  while an Immersion school is organized to immerse your child in French from grade one.

Can I put my child in the Lycée français?

The “Lycée français” is aimed firstly at French people from France who want to continue to follow the French curriculum. This option makes sense only if you are thinking of moving to France in the future and can invest in a lot of tutoring if you are not a French speaker. All the courses are taught in French and students are to pass exams from France (Brevet des colleges in what would be grade 9 and the “Baccalauréat” in the equivalent of grade 12).
Access to French universities is only open to your child if he has obtained the “baccalauréat “ delivered by the French government. This is a respected diploma that inspired the IB program in vogue nowadays, and which is also a prerequisite for entering French Universities. It is necessary to obtain information directly from the university in question regarding their admission criteria.