French Immersion

French Immersion:

Learning the language in an integrated way, using many subjects
Some schools are dual-track, meaning they offer both programs, some schools only offer Core French, in which case students would change schools to register in French Immersion
Frequency:
- Grade 2: 100%
- Grade 3: 80%
- Grades 4-8: 50% of the day

French Immersion Begins in Grade 2

Parents who are registering their children for Grade 2 French Immersion for next September, have been asked to direct their questions to the student’s HDSB current school. Registration for French Immersion begins on December 1 and continues until January 31.

In the Halton District School Board, the only entry point for the French Immersion program is Grade 2, with 100% instruction in French language. In Grade 3, it is an 80/20 model and all remaining grades in elementary school are 50/50. Please note, the HDSB does not offer Extended French Immersion.

Grade 2 French Immersion Registration Information:

In the Halton District School Board, students can begin French Immersion in Grade 2, where 100% of the instructional day is taught in French.

If you are interested in registering your Grade 1 child(ren) for the French Immersion program, further information and resources are available on the French Immersion webpage of the HDSB website (hdsb.ca).

How to register for French Immersion:

Registration is open from Monday, Dec. 1, 2025 to Jan. 31, 2026. The registration form will open on Dec. 1.

Step 1: Confirm your child’s designated French Immersion school

French Immersion placement is based on your home address. Using the Find My Local School tool on the HDSB website, enter your home address and note the French Immersion school listed for your address. You will need this information when completing the registration form.

Step 2: Ensure your child is registered with the HDSB

If you are receiving this email, your child is registered in the HDSB. If this message was shared with you and your child is not currently an HDSB student, please complete their HDSB school registration online first, prior to registering for French Immersion. Once your child is registered with the HDSB, you can complete the French Immersion registration form (below).

Step 3: Complete the online French Immersion registration form

As of Dec. 1, registration will open and families can complete the French Immersion Registration Google Form by Jan. 31, 2026.

All students registered between Dec. 1 - Jan. 31 will be placed in the French Immersion program. No additional steps or confirmations are required at this stage.

If you have any questions, please contact your current school.

Transitioning into French Immersion from Another School Board

Students may be assessed for the French Immersion program if they meet the following conditions that would be demonstrated through a French language assessment done at the Welcome Centre:

Students are coming from a French Immersion program where the hours of instruction in French are equal to or greater than the HDSB French Immersion program.
Students demonstrate a level of fluency (speaking, listening, reading and writing) equal to students in the French Immersion program resulting from regular opportunities to speak French at home or with other french-speaking people.
Please contact your local French Immersion school for more information

Parent Information about French Immersion

Please peruse the resources created for parents making the decision to register their Grade One student for French Immersion. We encourage you to discuss with your current teacher if you have any questions.

Resources:

FSL Programs and Students with Special Needs

For more information about French as a Second Language programs in English-language school boards, including students with special needs and English language learners, refer to the information and resources posted on the Ontario Ministry of Education website.

In the Halton District School Board, we believe that every child is capable of learning French. There are six principles set out by the Ontario Ministry of Education that guide our work: