French Immersion


We are proud of our Early and Late French Immersion programs

These programs are intended for non-French speaking students who wish to develop a high level of proficiency in both French and English. The programs are based in the BC curriculum and the various learning opportunities, activities, instruction, and resources parallel those of a neighbourhood, English program.

Two of our program highlights include our district Cabane à Sucre (Maple Sugar Shack Festival) and our Concours d’Art Oratoire (National Public Speaking Contest).

Early French Immersion

The Early French Immersion program accepts children at the beginning of their formal schooling, as they enter kindergarten. École Robb Road and École Puntledge Park offer elementary programs, where instruction occurs in French from kindergarten to the end of grade 3. From grades 4-7, instruction is approximately 80% in French and 20% in English.

Graduates from these two schools continue on to Mark R. Isfeld school where students from grades 8-12 gradually reduce the amount of courses in French and complete more studies in English, as they progress through the grades. In addition to the provincial “Dogwood” certificate, successful graduates of the Early French Immersion program receive a Bilingual Graduation Certificate at the end of Grade 12.

Registration opens for Early French Immersion in early January. Please see SD71’s Kindergarten Registration page for more information about registration dates and processes (posted throughout the year).

Late French Immersion

The Late French Immersion program accepts students who have completed grade 5 at a neighbourhood, English school. As they enter grades 6 and 7 at École Puntledge Park, they study French, in an Immersion setting. These students join their Early Immersion counterparts in grade 8 to study an identical program, as all French Immersion students transition to Mark R. Isfeld Secondary.

In addition to the provincial “Dogwood” certificate, successful graduates of the Late French Immersion program receive a Bilingual Graduation Certificate at the end of Grade 12. The Late French Immersion program registration form is located here.

Registration opens for Late French Immersion in February. Please see SD71’s Registration page to find the coming year’s Expression of Interest Form for Late French Immersion.

Schools where French Immersion programs are offered:

For more information: