Many students in Toronto are interested in learning French. They may want to take a French course at school, or they may simply want to learn on their own.
In other cases, there are native French speakers in Canada who are also looking for these French schools in Toronto to enroll kids.
In either case, there are many French schools near you that can help you achieve your goals. This article will seek to explain what your options are, which French schools in Toronto are the best, and what you should expect.
Who are French Schools in Toronto Meant For?
If you’re looking to learn or teach French, Toronto has many options for you. The city has the highest concentration of French schools in North America, and with so many on offer, there’s sure to be one that meets your needs.
French schools in Toronto usually have an education system that is reserved for parents who are French rights holders; these are Canadian parents who live in Ontario and meet one of the following criteria that:
- their native language is French.
- they received their elementary education in a Frech-Language school in Canada.
- they are the parent or guardians of a child who attends a French-Language elementary school or secondary school.
However, parents who do not speak the French Language, but want their kids to enroll in any French school in Toronto, can do so. Many of the French schools in Toronto offer courses in English Language too.
If you’re interested in learning French, these schools we are going to talk about are great places to start.
How to Enroll in Toronto French Schools
- Enroll in the school of your choice.
- Contact the school directly, either by phone or email.
- Check out their website to see if they offer a trial class or tour of the facilities.
- Ask friends and family about their experiences at the school.
List of French Schools in Toronto
Toronto is a multicultural city with a robust French community, so it’s no surprise that there are many French schools in Toronto.
In this list, you’ll find all of the French schools in Toronto. We’ll first be going over French schools in Toronto that are regulated by the Conseil Scolaire Viamonde board – a top governing body of French schools in the Toronto district.
Note that there are also various other bodies that regulate French schools in other parts of Ontario.
Gabrielle-Roy Elementary School
Gabrielle-Roy Elementary is a French immersion school located in the Beaches area of Toronto. The school was founded in 1997, and it has students from kindergarten to grade 6. Gabrielle-Roy’s student population is about 500 students.
Gabrielle-Roy is a public school that offers both academic and arts programs. The school also hosts many sports teams, including basketball, volleyball, and soccer teams for boys and girls.
Other extra-curricular activities at this school also feature cross country running; track and field events; swimming lessons for all ages (including seniors); handball for kindergarten through grade 6 students as well as junior high students; indoor soccer; dance classes for children under age eight years old at the community center; and music lessons.
Recently, the school started offering International Baccalaureate programs for kids in Grades 7 to 12.
Mosaic Elementary School
Popularly called the “Mustangs,” the Mosaic Elementary School is situated in the St. Clair West area of Toronto. It’s a private school, though you can apply for financial aid if needed and if you qualify.
The school has three campuses: two elementary schools serving students in kindergarten to grade 6, and one middle school serving students in grades 7-9. There are over 900 students currently enrolled at The Mosaic Elementary School; this includes children from all backgrounds and ethnicities (including French).
The school is one of the largest French schools in Toronto, and it has a reputation for having the highest student enrollment each year. Many parents prefer the Mustangs for their kids. And if you are thinking about an affordable French school in Toronto for your kid (even without tuition aid), Mosaic stands out.
Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau Elementary School
Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau Elementary School is a French immersion program for children aged 4 to 12. Students are taught in French and learn about Canadian culture and history at the school.
After completing the program, students may continue their education at Bishop Marrocco/Thomas Merton Catholic Secondary School or one of several other Toronto high schools with strong academic programs.
The bilingual program at Pierre-Elliott Trudeau Elementary School caters to older students who wish to improve their French skills but do not want to become fully immersed in it during school hours. The bilingual program has many benefits; it allows children to learn about both cultures without having to choose between them, teaches them how different languages influence each other and provides an opportunity for students from other parts of Canada or abroad.
With that being said, Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau is one of the top French schools in Toronto. It has been providing French education to kids in Toronto since September 2000 and remains a good choice for parents weighing their options.
Chaire-Sauriol Elementary School
Chaire-Sauriol Elementary School is a French immersion school located in the Beaches neighborhood of Toronto. It’s part of the Conseil Scolaire Viamonde which oversees all French schools in Toronto and its surrounding areas.
At this school, French immersion programs are offered across all levels of schooling, including early years (Junior Kindergarten) and elementary school.
Paul-Demers Elementary School
Paul-Demers Elementary School is an English-French immersion school that offers a unique approach to learning. The school teaches in both English and French with most subjects taught in the latter language.
Students receive instruction from kindergarten until grade 6, at which point they can choose whether to continue their studies at Paul-Demers, move on to another elementary school, or go on to attend one of Toronto’s high schools.
Paul-Demers is largely seen as an above-average French school in Toronto and parents of the school highly value the school’s teaching method and safety consciousness. It makes a decent choice for any parent considering enrolling their kid at this school.
Felix-Leclerc Elementary School
At Felix-Leclerc Elementary School, they offer a special international program called “Excellence.” It is one of the smaller French schools in Toronto focused on teaching the French language to kids who want to learn and teaching natural French speakers.
Jeanne-Lajoie Elementary School
Located in eastern Toronto, Jeanne-Lajoie Elementary School is a French school. It offers a full-day French immersion program. The school is part of the Conseil Scolaire Viamonde which has French schools all over Toronto and its surrounding area.
Laure-Riese Elementary School
Laure-Riese Elementary School is a French Immersion school offering a bilingual program for children in Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6. It is a small French-speaking school in Toronto that appeals to native speakers. The school is affordable and easy to enroll your child in.
French High Schools in Toronto
The city of Toronto has a large French-speaking community, so it’s no surprise that there are equally several French high schools in this city.
If you want to send your children to a French high school, then one of these schools is perfect for them.
French College
French College is a French immersion high school located in the heart of Toronto. It has a bilingual program, and it is accredited by the Ontario Ministry of Education. The school offers education to children in Grades 7 to 12.
Its long history dates back to when it was founded as an alternative school for children who wanted to learn French in a smaller setting than most other schools at the time.
Since then, it has grown into one of Toronto’s most prestigious French immersion schools with over 120 students enrolled.
Today, French College welcomes students from all backgrounds—from Canada’s multicultural melting pot to international students from around the world (France being no exception). The school is notable for its Excellence programs specified for students receiving their Middle Education.
Toronto Quest Secondary School
Toronto Quest Secondary School offers a French immersion program for grades 7 to 12. The school teaches a variety of subjects, including English and French courses, with an emphasis on exam preparation so that students are well prepared for college enrollment.
The school has 30 students per class, ensuring that teachers can give each student individual attention and make sure they’re keeping up with the coursework they need to be successful.
Etienne-Brule Secondary School
Etienne-Brule Secondary School is a French-language public high school in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The school was established in 1969 to serve the French population of the greater Toronto area. Currently, it has approximately 180 students enrolled in the school.
Along with Toronto Quest and French College, they are the only French high schools in Toronto not affiliated with a religious body – whether Catholic or Islamic.
Catholic French Schools in Toronto
When searching for a French school in Toronto to enroll your child, it is possible that you may be looking for information on Catholic high schools. These Catholic high schools in Toronto are schools that have affiliations with Catholic bodies that their education system is rooted.
Generally, these schools are regulated by the Conseil Scolaire Catholique MonAvenir (the MonAvenir Catholic School Board).
The following list of schools includes Catholic French schools in Toronto that serve the French population in Toronto:
Bon-Berger Catholic Elementary School
Address: 343 Jones Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M4J 3G4
Telephone: 416-461-2674
Fax: 416-465-1108
Bon-Berger Catholic Elementary School is located in the heart of the city, near St. Lawrence Market and within walking distance of other popular Toronto attractions. It’s also home to one of Canada’s largest Catholic French schools, with more than 100 students enrolled from kindergarten to grade 6.
The school offers a bilingual program for its students (the curriculum is taught in French), but it also has an English program for students who wish to learn French as an additional language rather than their main subject matter.
Sacred Heart Catholic Elementary School
Address: 98 Essex Street, Toronto, Ontario M6G 1T3
Telephone: 416-393-5219
Fax: 416-393-5107
Sacred Heart Catholic Elementary School is a private, Catholic school serving grades K-6. The school has been in operation under the MonAvenir Catholic School Board and offers a wide range of sports, clubs, and activities for students to engage with.
The faculty at Sacred Heart Catholic Elementary is highly qualified and committed to helping every student reach their full potential. The school aims to provide each child with an excellent education that will prepare them to become lifelong learners.
Sacred Heart Catholic Elementary provides students with a safe learning environment where they can excel academically while also developing spiritually, emotionally, socially, and physically.
Georges-Etienne-Cartier Catholic Elementary School
Address: 250 Gainsborough Road, Toronto, Ontario M4L 3C6
Telephone: 416-393-5314
Fax: 416-393-5144
Georges-Etienne-Cartier Catholic Elementary School is home to over 300 students in grades JK to Grade 6. GEC is a proud member of the MonAvenir Catholic School Board, and it offers a wide range of programs including French immersion, music and art classes, after-school activities, and much more.
GEC offers many after-school activities for students including basketball, hockey, soccer, swimming lessons, martial arts training, and more.
The staff at GEC are committed to helping children develop into independent thinkers who can make good choices for themselves while also respecting others around them.
Monseigneur-de-Charbonnel Catholic Secondary School
Monseigneur-de-Charbonnel Catholic Secondary School is a Catholic, French language high school situated in the north of Toronto, Ontario. The school has been operating as a part of the catholic high schools under the MonAvenir Catholic School Board.
Monseigneur-de-Charbonnel is one of the top-performing schools in the province of Ontario and offers both academic and vocational programs to its students.
Academics are offered at both the pre-university level and the university preparation level. The school also offers a variety of extracurricular activities, including sports teams, to help its students develop both mentally and physically.
Pere-Philippe-Lamarche Catholic Secondary School
Located at the east end of the city of Toronto is Pere-Philippe-Lamarche Catholic Secondary School. It’s a private catholic school with IB education, French immersion, and French-as-a-second-language classes available.
Pere-Philippe-Lamarche Catholic Secondary School offers students an opportunity to receive an education in French or English. The school also offers various sports programs, including football, basketball, volleyball, badminton, and more.
In addition to helping its students develop in all spheres, this school provides its students with health and wellness, and leadership programs to help the kids become independent thinkers.
As part of the MonAvenir Catholic School Board, students who graduate from any of the French elementary schools listed above will get a chance to continue their education at this school or at Saint-Frere-Andre Secondary School.
Saint-Frere-Andre Catholic Elementary School
Saint-Frere-Andre Catholic Elementary School is a French school in Toronto, located in the York Mills area. It has a student population of around 300 and offers a bilingual program. The student body at this school is made up of students from all over the city.
If you are searching for more French Catholic schools situated near Toronto, the MonAvenir Board has listed them here. You can select a school of your choice and find out how to contact them for enrollment information.
Read Also: 12 Best Online High Schools in Canada
Are French Schools Expensive?
French school fees are generally more expensive than the cost of homeschooling. The cost of French schools in Toronto varies, but it is important to note that many French schools offer financial aid and scholarship programs for students with financial needs.
What Will My Child Benefit From a French School?
French schools generally offer their courses in French language and are created specifically for French-speaking students or those who want to learn French. The only exception to these courses is English and Quebec sign language.
So, native French parents can generally expect their child to learn and be a part of an education system that teaches in french. This will aid the assimilation of academic concepts faster than when they are being taught in English (a language they may not understand).
Also, French schools have a reputation for prioritizing sporting and extracurricular activities that can spark a child’s interest. There are many sporting icons in Canada who are products of French schools.
Final Thought
If you’re interested in learning French, the French school system in Toronto may be just what you’re looking for. The city has a number of options for learning the language and can provide a great first step toward gaining fluency.
If you’re thinking about taking a French course or enrolling your child at one of these schools, keep these points in mind:
- Keep your options open by researching all available programs before making a decision.
- Finding the best school for your needs is crucial. Consider factors like location, price, and curriculum when choosing one over another.
- Think about whether or not it makes sense to join an established institution with high standards versus starting from scratch with something smaller, less formalized schools. The latter will definitely cost less money.
Wrapping It Up
French schools are a great way to teach and learn French in Toronto. There are many different French schools in Toronto that offer programs for children of all ages and levels. If you’re interested in learning French, then look into enrolling your child in one soon.