The SDCSB offers an early French Immersion program option which is available to all students. This is a highly successful approach to second language learning in which students receive instruction in French for a significant portion of the day. Students study the same curriculum content as their peers in the regular English program. It is designed to provide English-speaking children with the opportunity to become highly proficient in French as well as in English. There is no expectation that parents of students in the French Immersion program are able to understand or speak French.

An Immersion program means that French is not only the medium in which subjects are taught, but it is also the means of communication between pupils and teacher in the classroom and, as much as possible beyond the classroom.

The aim of the French Immersion program is to:

• provide a quality educational program the meets the expectations of the Ontario Curriculum both elementary and secondary
• function well in a French -speaking community
• develop and refine student’s ability to communicate naturally in French using a wide range of vocabulary
• help students understand and appreciate Canada’s francophone heritage
• expand students’ knowledge of the language through the study of francophone literature ( secondary)

By the end of the four-year program in secondary school, students will:

• participate easily in conversations and discussions
• be able to take courses at the college or university level in which French is the language of instructions