The French immersion program is available on early (kindergarten and grade one) and late (grade six) tracks. Program goals include:
- Helping students develop functional bilingual skills so they can understand and communicate in French.
- Helping students develop linguistic and cultural knowledge and appreciation.
- Preparing students for further education and careers in French.
Successful graduates will receive two diplomas (i.e. 鈥淒ouble Dogwoods鈥�): a British Columbia Certificate of Graduation and a Dipl么me de fin d鈥櫭﹖udes secondaires en Colombie-Britannique.
Early and late French immersion programs
Early French immersion (K-1)
- Begins in kindergarten or grade one and continues through to grade 12.
- All instruction in French for the first four years with English Language Arts introduced in grade four.
- English exploratory courses offered in middle school.
- Students from early and late French immersion programs join grade eight together and progress through secondary school.
Early French immersion enrollment is limited to one kindergarten entry class at each French immersion school each year. Catchment boundaries are in effect for the program.
The program is offered at the following schools:
- 脡cole Herbert Spencer Elementary (K-5)
- 脡cole Qayqayt Elementary (K-5)
- 脡cole Lord Tweedsmuir (K-5)
Late French immersion (grade 6)
- No prior knowledge of French is expected or necessary.
- Begins in grade six and continues through to grade 12.
- Students study almost wholly in French in grade six, with English exploratory courses and career education usually offered in English and English Language Arts reintroduced in grade seven.
- Students from early and late French immersion programs join grade eight together and progress through secondary school.
Late French immersion enrollment is limited to two grade six entry classes at 脡cole Glenbrook Middle School.
French immersion information night
Parents and guardians are invited to attend 鈥淒iscover 91探花s鈥� night every year where staff hold open houses to provide information on district programs, such as French immersion.
Apply to join French immersion
Every January, students may apply to join early or late French immersion in the next school year (i.e. in September). For example, a student interested in joining late French immersion (grade six entry) would apply when they are in grade five.
Applications for the 2025-2026 school year are now closed. Wait lists for Early and Late French Immersion are now open.