Did you know that French is spoken in 36 countries? This translates to more than 320 million people! No less than 93 million students have French as their language of instruction. Quite a number! It is the fifth most widely spoken language in the world.

As one of Canada’s largest and most diverse province, Ontario is home to an ever-increasing number of French-speaking immigrant families. The province is proudly known for its multiculturalism. This beautiful diversity is mirrored in our schools, and we fully celebrate the French language in all its glory. We are all extremely proud of our Franco-Ontarian roots, yet we have a bigger vision! We are proud to welcome so many new families into our community.

To wrap up the Month of La Francophonie, here is a short article that will introduce you to the international Francophonie of L’École catholique.

Our reality

French is one of Canada’s two official languages. It is an integral part of the country’s cultural heritage. In Ontario, nearly 600,000 persons speak French as their first language, and more than 1.2 million can communicate in French! It is therefore essential that French-language education be accessible to all eligible students and French-speaking newcomers. Not surprisingly, L’École catholique counts more than 300 French-language schools across the province!

In our school boards

L’École catholique values equity and inclusion. All of our school boards have committees dedicated to providing welcoming learning environments where every student is included and Catholic values are upheld and shared daily. For instance, schools welcome students who are new to Canada and help their families integrate into their school community.

Our boards and their schools actively collaborate with their partners to provide services that meet the needs of newcomers to ensure a warm welcome for new families and the well-being of their school community. For instance, in several French-language Catholic school boards (CECCE, CSDCEO, CSC MonAvenir, CSC Providence and CSC Nouvelon), settlement workers guide and assist students and their families to help them learn about life in Ontario and integrate into their new environment. In addition, several French-language Catholic school boards are partners in the Welcoming Francophone Communities initiatives. This welcoming attitude makes a world of difference!

In our schools

In addition to offering a quality education in French, L’École catholique celebrates and promotes this diversity through various initiatives. These include, but are not limited to, multicultural activities, presentations and workshops with special guests to integrate different cultures into students’ activities. These initiatives enable every student to succeed and thrive in a welcoming and inclusive environment.

For example, since the beginning of the school year, our schools have organized various activities related to Franco-Ontarian Day, Treaties Recognition Week, National Francophone Immigration Week, Family Literacy Day, Black History Month, Month of La Francophonie and many more! You may see these wonderful initiatives on our schools and school boards social media. This is the best way to stay on top of events at your child’s school throughout the year. If you are not already connected, what are you waiting for? Subscribe to these pages now!

A French-language Catholic education, from kindergarten to Grade 12, ensures a high level bilingualism for our students. Why is this so important? It has been proven that bilingual persons have access to more opportunities, such as scholarships, internships and, jobs in Canada and around the world, etc. Bilingualism boosts a person’s lifelong learning capacity and gives them a head start in their career path.

We are convinced that an education in a French-language Catholic school will help your child better deal with and function in the economic and social world of tomorrow: a world without borders where mastering more than one language is a unique asset!

In conclusion, L’École catholique is committed to providing a quality education in French while celebrating diversity and promoting respect, equity and inclusion. Students learn to respect and value different perspectives. They open their minds to the world through exposure to various cultures, beliefs and traditions. Our approach helps foster a positive and inclusive school environment, where all students feel loved, valued and respected.