The Quebec Ministry of Education implements the provisions of the Education Act which governs the rights and obligations of students, teachers, schools and school boards in Quebec.
The Ministry produces the Quebec Education Program (QEP) that all elementary and secondary schools use to base student learning. Teachers and school staff use the QEP to carry out their tasks. It is also an essential guide for school administration, staff and school board governance.
There are nine English public school boards in Quebec.
School boards are regional organizations that oversee preschool, elementary, secondary, adult academic and vocational training for both youth and adults on their assigned territory. Each English school board in Quebec is governed by a council of commissioners, publicly elected through elections which take place approximately every four years.
Along with educating the population, school boards provide many services to the community.
Elementary education begins in Kindergarten (preschool) at the age of 4 and continues to grade 6.
Preschool – 4- and 5-year old Kindergarten
Cycle 1 – Grades 1 and 2
Cycle 2 – Grades 3 and 4
Cycle 3 – Grades 5 and 6
Secondary education covers a 5 year period, Secondary 1 to 5.
Cycle 1 – Secondary I and II (Grades 7,8)
Cycle 2 – Secondary III to V (Grades 9,10,11)
Successful completion of the general secondary program is recognized by the Diplôme d’études secondaires (DES – Diploma of Secondary Studies).
People aged 16 or older may be eligible for general adult education courses such as language, sciences, history, math, etc through our Continuing Education and Vocational Centres.
Vocational education programs provide training for people to enter the workforce in a trade. Such training is recognized by the Diplôme d’études professionnelles (DEP – Diploma of Vocational Studies).
