There are not a lot of Francophones living in Vancouver, with only 30,000 living scattered throughout the area.

That being said, French is still one of Canada national languages so there is a Vancouver French School Board to cater to parents who want their children fully educated in French.


Vancouver French Schools, as opposed to French Immersion, teach all subjects in French, catering to students for whom French is their first language.

BC Francophone School District

To be eligible for to attend Vancouver French schools in the BC Francophone School District as a parent/ guardian, you must meet at least one of the following conditions:

› If your first language learned and still understood is French

› If you received your primary school instruction in Canada in French (not including French Immersion)

› If one of your children has received primary or secondary school instruction in Canada in French (not including French Immersion)

› If you have a child who‘s receiving primary or secondary school instruction in Canada in French (not including French Immersion)

The BC Francophone School District  is publicly funded therefore you do not have to pay for your child’s education in any of its Vancouver French schools. Since there are not as many Vancouver French schools, you may not necessarily live close to one. Fortunately, transportation is provided free by the school board.

Vancouver French Schools in the Francophone School District

› École Rose-des-Vents (Vancouver)
Grades: Kindergarten – 6

› École Anne-Hébert (Vancouver)
Grades: Kindergarten – 6

› École secondaire Jules-Verne (Vancouver)
Grades: 7 – 12

› École André-Piolat (North Vancouver)
Grades: Kindergarten – 12

› École des Navigateurs (Richmond)
Grades: Kindergarten – 6

› École Gabrielle-Roy (Surrey)
Grades: Kindergarten – 12

› École des Pionniers de Maillardville (Port Coquitlam)
Grades: Kindergarten – 12

› École de Bois Jolie (Delta)
Grades: Kindergarten – 6

› École Des Voyageurs (Langley)
Grades: Kindergarten – 7

French International School of Vancouver

There is one other option for a Vancouver French school. The International French School of Vancouver is an independent, secular, co-educational school. Located in North Vancouver, it offers education to pre-schoolers up to grade 7 students. It’s open to all children who are willing and able to study in French. Unlike schools in the BC Francophone School District, non French-speaking children may apply for admission until the age of 5 and parents of non French-speaking children need not be Francophones themselves for the children to be accepted.

Tuition

Since it is an independent school, tuition must be paid for by the parents. It costs $9,665/ year for preschool, $8,050 for Kindergarten, and $7,885 for grades 1 – 7. There are discounts offered if you have more than one child in attendance. Financial aid from the Government of France may be available for French citizens. The school itself also offers financial aid to some who can’t afford tuition. Contact the school for more info.

Links

› Francophone schools in British Colombia

› French immersion schools in British Colombia

› Bureau des affaires francophones et francophiles (French classes & programs at SFU)