Chapter 3
French Immersion and French-language schools
Last reviewed October 30, 2026
"French school" can mean two very different things in Ontario: French Immersion programs within English-language boards, and French-language schools run by French boards. They have different goals, different eligibility, and different implications for where you buy.
French Immersion
French Immersion is a program offered by English-language boards. In London, that means the Thames Valley District School Board and the London District Catholic School Board. It's designed for students whose first language is usually not French. A large share of instruction is in French in the early grades, with English instruction increasing over time.
- Who can attend: generally open to students within the board, subject to the board's entry points, application process and space.
- Where: French Immersion is offered at selected schools, not every school, so your Immersion school may differ from your designated English-program school.
- Entry points: boards set specific grades when students can start, and some have application windows or lotteries when demand is high. Check the board's current process.
- Transportation: eligibility rules may differ for program schools.
French-language schools
French-language schools are run by French-language boards: Conseil scolaire Viamonde (public) and Conseil scolaire catholique Providence (Catholic). They're designed to educate francophone students, with instruction in French and a francophone cultural environment.
- Eligibility: generally based on the parents' French-language rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, for example if a parent's first language learned and still understood is French, or if a parent or sibling received their schooling in French in Canada. Boards also have admission committees that can consider other families.
- Where: French-language schools serve large catchment areas, so busing distances can be longer.
- School support: French-language boards have their own property tax school support designations through MPAC.
| French Immersion | French-language school | |
|---|---|---|
| Run by | English boards (TVDSB, LDCSB) | French boards (Viamonde, Providence) |
| Designed for | Students learning French as an additional language | Francophone students |
| Eligibility | Generally open, subject to entry points and space | Based on French-language rights, or admission committee |
| School environment | English-language school culture, French instruction | Francophone school culture throughout |
| Catchment | Program-specific boundaries | Large areas |
How program location affects your home search
If French Immersion matters to you, this is the step families most often miss: the Immersion program has its own boundaries. A home might be designated to an English program at a nearby school but to a French Immersion program somewhere else. Use the board's school locator and select the French Immersion program specifically.
Check secondary too. French Immersion continues into secondary school at specific schools. Look up where Immersion students from your elementary school go for Grades 9–12, so you're not surprised in a few years.
Questions to ask the board
- Which school offers French Immersion for this address, at each grade?
- What are the entry points, and is there an application deadline or lottery?
- Is transportation provided to the Immersion school?
- Where does the program continue in secondary school?
- What support is available if my child finds Immersion difficult?
Is French Immersion right for your child?
Families choose Immersion for bilingualism, future opportunities and cognitive benefits. It also takes commitment: homework help can be harder if parents don't speak French, and some children thrive more in the English program. Many boards publish guidance on choosing and offer information sessions for prospective families. Attend one before you register.
Moving mid-way?
If your child is already in French Immersion or a French-language school elsewhere in Ontario, contact the London board early about transferring. Placement depends on space and the program's grade structure.
Supporting a child in Immersion at home
Parents who don't speak French can still support an Immersion student well: reading together in English (literacy skills transfer between languages), using the public library's French-language books and media, and staying in touch with the teacher. Many families find a short list of French resources from the school helps a lot with homework.
Your local agent
Shopping for a home within a specific school boundary?
For many families, the school comes first and the house second. A local agent can set up searches around the boundaries you care about, flag listings on the right side of a boundary line, and remind you to confirm the designated school with the board before you firm up. We recommend Rayna Elabed, a Sales Representative with CENTURY 21 First Canadian Corp., Brokerage in London.
Browse family homes with Rayna