French Programming (Immersion & Extended (being phased out))
Application Timelines:
- Early French Immersion (JK & SK entry) – November 1st to November 26th, 2021 (4 weeks) – central application process
- Note: For entry in September 2022 only, children who will be entering JK or SK are eligible to apply for Early French Immersion during the online application period in November 2021. Moving forward (2023), the only entry point for Early French Immersion will be Junior Kindergarten.
- Middle Immersion (Gr. 4 entry) - January 3rd to January 28th, 2022 (4 weeks) – central application process
- Grade 7 Extended French – January 3rd to January 28th, 2022 (4 weeks) – locally managed school application process
- Note: This program is currently phasing out. The last cohort to begin the Grade 7 entry Extended French starts in September 2022.
Early French Immersion – Application Process & Timelines
For families interested in the Toronto District School Board's Early French Immersion Program, we offer an online process to apply. The entry point to Early French Immersion is moving to Junior Kindergarten. There will be one transition year wherein students who will be entering Junior Kindergarten and Senior Kindergarten in 2022 will be eligible to apply to the Early French Immersion program during the November 2021 application period. Moving forward (2023), the only entry point for Early French Immersion will be Junior Kindergarten.
An offer of placement in the program (not a specific school) is guaranteed to all on-time applicants. While every effort is made to place students in the school identified as their area French Immersion school, this not always possible. Students may be redirected to another school with available program space.
Families with an older sibling currently in a French program and who will be in attendance next year are still required to complete an online application for the new student. Please select the “sibling option” within the online application.
Virtual Information Sessions for the Early French Immersion application and placement process are available in November. For more information about French programs, the application process and important dates, interested families may visit www.tdsb.on.ca/french or click on Application Process. For details, please see the downloadable information package or click here for Early French Immersion flyers in 22 languages.
A few reminders about the process and questions you may be asked at this point:
- The deadline to apply to the program is November 26, 2021.
- If a parent/caregiver cannot access a computer, please consider accommodating them at a school computer.
- Please let parents/caregivers know the process is NOT handled on a first come, first served basis. All applications received by the deadline are managed with the same priority.
If parents/caregiver experience difficulties, they may contact us via email at: pars_fsl_admin@tdsb.on.ca
- A parent/caregiver may still submit an application online after the deadline passes on November 26, 2021; the application will be marked as late and the child may be held on a waitlist; there is NO guarantee of placement.
Below is a Q&A that may support some inquiries which you may receive from local parents/caregivers during this time period:
When the on-line application system (PARS) opens…
How do I apply to Early French Immersion?
- Please invite parents/caregivers to visit www.tdsb.on.ca/pars. They will select the program from a drop-down menu on the right (Early French Immersion or Middle French Immersion) and follow the prompts. This process is not first come first served. In the weeks following the close of the application, offers of placement will be sent to the email address provided by the parent. Please encourage them to check this email frequently and follow the prompts in the message when the offer is made.
My child is not in the TDSB and does not have an OEN.
- For non-TDSB students, the parent/caregiver selects the “Non-TDSB Student” option on the PARS site and follows the steps to generate an identification number. They must then continue the application procedure with this number.
I can’t get on the website.
- Please reassure the parent/caregiver that the application is not handled on a first come, first served basis. If there is an internet issue, the parent/caregiver may try again. If there is a problem with the site, please let us know via email and assure the parent/caregiver that it will be taken care of and they should try again in the next couple of days.
- If the parent/caregiver cannot access the internet from home or has any other challenges using the on-line system, please offer them assistance at the school or have them call our office. With a DOB and OEN, anyone can submit the application for the parent/caregiver.
When will I hear?
- Offers of placement will begin in the days following the application deadline and they will continue for the weeks following. Not all families in a given area will receive their offers of placement at the same time, but all will receive one.
- Please encourage the parent/caregiver to check their email frequently (including their junkmail). Please do not offer a firm date when the offers of placement should be completed.
Is it a first come first served process?
- No. All applications received by the deadline are treated with the same priority and are guaranteed a place in the program (we cannot guarantee placement in a given school).
- All applications received after the deadline will be held on a waitlist.