FAQs for Students & Families

Many independent schools in Quebec are subsidized by the Quebec Government. Several QAIS schools are not subsidized. The only difference among the schools is the subsidy. ALL schools in Quebec require a permit from the Ministry of Education to function and ALL schools follow, at minimum, the mandatory Quebec curriculum which leads to provincial exams and the official (DES) Quebec High School Leaving Certificate.

All QAIS member schools are not for profit, which means that they are operated by an independent Board of Directors that is elected to oversee the school’s mission, vision and strategy. This Board hires the Head of School who oversees the day to day management of the school.

Please contact the school and set an appointment for a tour.

QAIS (Quebec Association of Independent Schools) and is made up of 23 member schools situated in Montreal and its general vicinity. FEEP (Fédération des établissements d’enseignement privés) is the French counterpart to QAIS.

Yes. All English schools in Quebec teach French according to the Quebec Curriculum, which is obligatory in all schools. QAIS schools support students who may arrive with limited French, and they also offer enrichment courses and activities for those students who have strong skills in French. Overall, the goal is for graduates of QAIS schools to be able to thrive in Quebec society, in both English and French. Most QAIS schools offer a third language option as well.

Yes, all QAIS schools follow the Quebec Curriculum (QEP) which leads to provincial exams and the official (DES) Quebec High School Leaving Certificate.

You can learn more about the Quebec Curriculum (QEP) here.

Yes, all QAIS schools follow the Quebec curriculum which leads to provincial exams and the official (DES) Quebec High School Leaving Certificate.

QAIS schools meet the diverse needs of their students. You will need to contact each school that you are interested in for your child, explain their needs and share any educational assessment result your child has. The school will then be able to share with you the support that their professionals can offer your child.

Yes. You may apply but be sure to share this information on your child’s application.

A certificate of eligibility is granted to students by the Government of Quebec based on a complex list of criteria. You can learn more about the Eligibility Certificate criteria here. You can also discuss this with the Admissions professionals when you visit a QAIS school.

Not all QAIS schools require students to have this certificate. Schools that do not receive provincial funding, while obliged to follow the QEP (official Quebec Curriculum), may accept students with or without the Certificate of Eligibility.

Are financial aid and scholarships available? Most QAIS schools offer scholarships and financial aid. Please speak with the individual schools to get the most up to date information.

This is a reference that many QAIS schools will ask you to have your child’s teacher complete and submit with the application. Having a common form facilitates the process for your child’s current teacher, who can complete one form and send it to several schools to which you may be applying.

Tuition includes fees for academic and accessory services. At acceptance, you are required to pay a deposit of $200.00 Each school has its own policies for payment of tuition, which can be done in a lump sum, four times a year or monthly. Please contact each school for the most up to date information regarding fee payment.

You must apply individually to each school as the application process varies from school to school. Several QAIS schools are part of a Common Admission Test process, which means that your child can write one set of exams and those results can be sent to a number of schools of your choice from among the participating schools.

QAIS often organizes speakers for parents on topical issues. In addition, individual schools also have speakers and parent information evenings. Information regarding these presentations will be sent by your child’s school.

Yes. Students in QAIS schools have the opportunity to participate in many diverse co-curricular activities. You can discuss this when you visit each school, as the offerings differ from school to school.

QAIS schools meet the needs of many individual students. Whether your focus is on a religious school, a non-denominational school, a school that supports neurodiversity, a single gender school, a co-ed school – there is a QAIS school available to meet your child’s needs and interests.

No. Please contact each individual school that interests you, as the application process differs slightly from school to school.

Yes. Contact the school that interests you and you can make an appointment to visit the school.

While students complete their school year by June 23 each year, QAIS schools are open over the summer for tours and to accept applications. Contact the school that interests you for more information.

Yes. QAIS schools accept applications year-round. Please note, however, that if you apply after a registration deadline there is a likelihood that all spaces available for your child’s grade may already be filled and you may then be placed on a waiting list.

Students do not need to do preparatory work prior to taking entrance exams. If a student has completed the previous year's work successfully, he/she should be comfortable taking the entrance exams. The most important preparation for the entrance exam is making sure to have a good night's sleep the night before the exam, and a healthy breakfast the day of the exam. In addition, trying to keep stress to a minimum will be very helpful.