Registering Kids in a New School After Moving in Montreal

Understanding Montreal School Boards

Montreal has two main public school boards: the Centre de services scolaire de Montréal (CSSDM) for French-language schools, and the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) for English-language schools. Under Quebec's Bill 101 (Charter of the French Language), most children must attend French school unless at least one parent received their elementary education in English in Canada. This eligibility is determined by a certificate of eligibility issued by the Ministry of Education.

Your assigned school is based on your home address. Visit the CSSDM or EMSB website and enter your postal code to find your designated neighborhood school. If that school is full, the board will assign an alternative nearby.

Documents Needed for School Registration

Gather these documents before visiting the school: your child's birth certificate, proof of your new Montreal address (lease or utility bill), immunization records (carnet de vaccination), your RAMQ cards, and — if applicable — your certificate of eligibility for English instruction. For children arriving from outside Quebec, you may also need previous school transcripts and report cards translated into French or English.

Registration can typically be done in person at your neighborhood school during office hours. Some schools also accept online pre-registration through the school board's portal. Plan to register as soon as possible after your move — mid-year transfers are common and schools are accustomed to processing them.

Helping Kids Adjust to a New Montreal School

If your child is entering a French school for the first time, many CSSDM schools offer classes d'accueil (welcome classes) designed to help non-francophone students learn French while integrating into the regular curriculum. These programs typically last one to two years and are available at both the elementary and secondary levels.

Explore after-school programs to help your child make friends — community centers in neighborhoods like Rosemont, Villeray, and Côte-des-Neiges run sports leagues, art classes, and homework help programs. The faster your child builds a social network, the smoother the transition will be.