French Programs

Registration dates for the 2025/26 school year will be posted in mid-December of 2024.

Early French Immersion (Kindergarten)

Late French Immersion (Grade 6) 

Please note that both programs are subject to a lottery as registration exceed available seats (the lottery follows enrolment priorities).

French Immersion Inforgraphic

French Immersion

French Immersion is a French language-learning program available to all students in SD62. French Immersion is designed for non-French-speaking students who wish to attain a high level of proficiency in both of Canada's official languages. Students achieve a level of learning in all curricular areas equivalent to that achieved by students in English programming.

 

Recognizing and acknowledging the rich heritage and diversity of French worldwide, students in French Immersion will receive instruction and gain familiarity in a variety of French cultures and dialects over the span of their schooling. Students meaningfully experience both French language and French cultures within the classroom, and instruction takes place in French, with both teachers and students primarily communicating in French daily. Our goal is for French Immersion learners to experience a well-rounded education while becoming bilingual in a manner that goes beyond purely functional but rather fosters global citizens capable in both French and English. (PONC, 2011, p.15)

 

All French Immersion programs begin with 100% French instruction in all subject areas. The percentage of French in each subject area gradually decreases as learners move into the secondary years, allowing for flexibility of course selection while providing for consistency of language learning and development of French proficiency in each of the academic areas.

French Immersion Guide for Parents & Caregivers

 

Program Structure graphic FRIMM

French Immersion General Information

Early French Immersion

Early French Immersion is offered in both Sooke (École Poirier) and the Western Communities (École John Stubbs Memorial and École Millstream). Early French Immersion students begin the program in kindergarten and continue through to grade 12. All learning is in French for the primary years, with English Language Arts reintroduced as a subject in grade 4.

Late French Immersion

Late French Immersion (grade 6) is offered at École John Stubbs Memorial School. Late French Immersion students participate in two years of intensive language instruction starting in grade 6. Upon completion of the Late French Immersion Program in grade 7, students are streamed into the main French Immersion Program for grade 8.

Registration

Registration in French Immersion programs is subject to availability.

Please visit the following pages for more information:

Kindergarten Entry French Immersion

Grade 6 Entry French Immersion

French Immersion is offered at the following Sooke Schools:

School

Address

Phone

Grade

Royal Bay Secondary

3500 Ryder Hesjedal Way

(250) 474-2377

Grades 9 – 12

EMCS

6218 Sooke Rd.

(250) 642-5211

Grades 9 – 12

École John Stubbs

301 Zealous Crescent

(250) 478-5571

K – 8

École Journey

6522 Throup Rd.

(250) 642-5881

Grades 6 – 8

École Poirier

6526 Throup Rd

(250) 642-0500

K – 5

Millstream Elementary

626 Hoylake Road

(250) 478-8348

K – 5

Core French

Core French or French as a Second Language is the study of French as a subject in grade 5. It is mandatory from grade 5-8 and it becomes elective in grade 9-12. A second language at grade 12 level is recommended for students planning to attend post-secondary as it is an admission requirement at many post-secondary institutions in BC and across Canada.