Expert Info
on 15 Mar 2017
Hello
We are an Indian family, planning to move to Montreal in 2017 and will stay there for some years. My daughter will be 6.8 Years as on 30-Sep' 17 and my son will be 4.3 years as on 30-Sep' 17. Currently both goes in English medium schools in Mumbai, India. They can not speak French but my younger son started learning basics as part his current curriculum. Some of my concerns and questions are:
1. Are they eligible for Public English schools? If yes, then can someone guide which are better schools as I will decide my residence on that basis. Is there a tuition fee, as I heard education is free in Canada?
2. If they are not eligible, then I don't think I can opt for International Board as it would be very expensive. Then what are the good French public schools in Montreal main city?
3. How difficult or easy for them to adjust in French speaking schools? Are they bilingual till the time kids are comfortable in French?
4. Are there any good public schools which have better reviews of accommodating non French speaking kids initially?
We know the challenge but we are ready to accept the language challenge but just want to understand, what are some tips to cope better.
Thanks in advance!
TC
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While I can't provide recommendations of any specific schools, you might find this forum post useful for the rest of your questions, as I answered some quite similar questions recently here: www.expatarrivals.com/answers/what-kind-of-school-is-best-in-montreal-for-our-three-young-australian-children
The short answer is that you will probably not be eligible for English-language public schools in Montreal. In French public schools, there may be some support for English speakers but it's difficult to estimate the extent of that support. For some more info on the schooling system, have a look at the Expat Arrivals Education and Schools in Montreal page.
You may want to consider looking into subsidised private schools as an alternative to international schools.
Have you secured employment there already? If you're relocating for work, you may be able to negotiate an education allowance as part of your relocation package.
Meagan