Quebec School System? Education in Quebec is run by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur). Thus, it was administered at the local level by publicly elected French and English school boards, changed in 2020 to school service centers.
However, teachers are represented by province-wide unions that negotiate province-wide working conditions with local boards and the provincial government of Quebec.
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Quebec School System
The Quebec education system has four levels- the kindergarten & elementary education level, secondary education level, college education, and University level. Preschool education in Québec is also called kindergarten.
Elementary/primary and secondary/ high school education includes general education and vocational training.
College education includes two streams: pre-university education and technical training university education had to do with undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate studies as well as postdoctoral studies.
Elementary Education
Elementary school education starts in kindergarten at the age of 5 and covers a period of seven or eight years (age 5 to 12). Although some elementary schools may also offer Pre-Kindergarten which begins at age 4. The elementary program is divided into four Cycles with two grade levels in each Cycle- Preschool, One, Two, and Three.
Grades
The grades are Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten.
- Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6.
Secondary Education
Secondary education covers a 5-year period (from age 12 to 17) and begins in Secondary I (which is grade 7). The secondary program is divided into two cycles: Cycle One and Two.
Grades
- Secondary I and II (Grades 7,8).
- Secondary III to V (Grades 9,10,11).
However, the successful completion of the general secondary program is recognized by the Diplôme d’études secondaires (DES – Diploma of Secondary Studies). The DES grants access to the first level of higher education, which is provided by a type of institution unique to Québec, that is the Collège d’enseignement général et professionnel (or CEGEP).
Vocational Training
Vocational education is part of the secondary school education system and is available to both youth and adults. Students can enroll in vocational training after having successfully completed Secondary III or Secondary IV (9 or 10 years of schooling).
Vocational training programs lead students directly to the job market, with students receiving one of the following official diplomas.
College
College is another level of education in Québec. The college level of education is provided by public institutions known as CEGEPs as well as by private colleges. However, this level may serve as a bridge between compulsory schooling (elementary and secondary) and university. College-level institutions offer;
University
The University education level is provided by universities and follows graduation from a pre-university education program at the college level. The structure of university education in Québec is similar to other universities found elsewhere in North America. However, there are 3 levels of university studies;
- The Bachelor’s (cycle 1), takes 3 or 4 years, depending on the course of study.
- Master’s (cycle 2), takes 1 or 2 years.
- Doctoral (cycle 3), takes 3 years or more.
Nevertheless, lots of universities also offer short programs of various lengths, such as those leading to specialized graduate studies certificates or diplomas. Universities include faculties in various kinds of course areas as well as professional schools such as those specializing in business and engineering.
How does the school system work in Quebec?
The Quebec education system comprises four levels: preschool and elementary education, secondary education, college, and university. Preschool and elementary education start at age 5 and continue until age 11 or 12, depending on the date of birth. Secondary education starts at age 12 or 13 and continues until age 17 or 18.
A college education is a mandatory two-year program that follows secondary school, while a university education is optional and can be pursued after college. The Quebec education system is publicly-funded and available to all residents of the province, regardless of their citizenship status. Additionally, English and French are both official languages of instruction in the Quebec education system.
Does Quebec have a good school system?
The quality of Quebec’s education system is a matter of perspective, but it is generally regarded as good, with some areas of excellence. The public education system in Quebec is well-funded and offers a wide range of programs designed to provide quality education to students at all levels.
Additionally, Quebec has a strong post-secondary education system, with several world-class universities, including Université de Montréal, McGill University, and Université Laval.
However, like any education system, there are also challenges, such as the issues of language barriers and socioeconomic inequalities that can impact academic achievement. Despite these challenges, Quebec’s education system is generally well-regarded and has produced many successful graduates.
Do you need to speak French to go to school in Quebec?
To attend school in Quebec, it is not necessary to speak French, but there are certain requirements related to language proficiency that must be met in order to enroll in school.
According to the Quebec Ministry of Education and Higher Education, students who have not attended a Francophone school or who have not been schooled in French for at least three years may be required to take a French language proficiency test to determine their level of proficiency.
Some schools may require students to take courses in French as a second language to help them develop their language skills. However, it is worth noting that French is the predominant language of instruction in many schools in Quebec, particularly in public schools, so non-Francophone students may face additional challenges in adjusting to the language and cultural differences.
