What if my children speak little or no French?

• If either parent (or both) is a right-holder, you are eligible to send your child to a Francophone school even though he or she does not speak French. (In some cases, non right-holders can be granted admission to Francophone schools. Call to see if you qualify).
• The CÉF offers specialized services to these children and their families through a specially designed francization program.
• There is no need to worry. Our program is designed to help children rapidly build their capacity to communicate effectively in French. But the earlier your child starts learning in French, the easier and faster he or she will absorb the information.

What if I don't speak or write French? How can I help my child with schoolwork?

Non French-speaking parents sometimes wonder how they can help their children with homework in a French-language school. Although most children will only require a quiet space to work and some encouragement, there are also plenty of other things parents can do to help.

What is a right-holder?

A right holder is a parent who meets one of the following criteria:

• whose first language is French and who still understands French
• who received an elementary education in French or
• whose child has received or is receiving an education in French at the elementary or secondary level.

Keep in mind that all children of French Heritage are welcome to attend CÉF schools. Immigrants are also eligible to apply.

In some cases, non right-holders can also gain access to a Francophone education for their children. Requests for admission by non right-holders will be considered by the Conseil scolaire fransaskois upon recommendation by your local school’s Conseil d’école.

Contact your local school for more information.

What does "Fransaskois" mean?

Fransaskois is a noun used to refer to the Francophone people of Saskatchewan. It can also be used as an adjective, meaning "of, or pertaining to the Francophone people of Saskatchewan".

What's the difference between Core French, Immersion French, and Francophone French?

Core French is a course offered by English-language school divisions for individuals who wish to learn basic French skills.

Immersion French is a program offered by English-language school divisions for individuals who wish to learn French as a second language. The administration, all communications to parents and the general daily routine of the schooltake place in English.

Francophone education is a French-language program offered entirely in French, with the exception of the English Language Arts course offered beginning in Grade 4. In a CÉF school, French is used as a daily learning and communication tool in every facet of life. All correspondence, report cards, parent teacher interviews, committee and school council meetings are in French.

While students live their French culture every day in a fransaskois school, they graduate with a high level of bilingualism which will open doors to postsecondary education or a career in the language of their choice. When they obtain their diploma, graduates are well prepared, as responsible, bilingual and accomplished citizens, to follow their dreams in either official langage, or both!

Remember: Students who attend French-language schools demonstrate a much more effective and sustainable bilingualism.

If you have further questions, feel free to contact us at our toll free number: 1-877-273-6661 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Study in Canada... in Saskatchewan

Top 10 reasons to study in Canada, in a  CÉF school:

Why send your child to a Fransaskois school?

Funded by the province, French first-language education is offered FREE OF CHARGE to rightholders. Click here to find out if you qualify!

Fransaskois schools provide a learning environment:

• that is welcoming, healthy and safe, and where there is mutual cooperation, respect and a sense of civic pride,
• where a personal approach enables children to reach their full potential,
• that is 100% Francophone and supports the development of the French language and Francophone culture,
• where the goal is for children to reach a superior level of long-lasting bilingualism, thus giving them an advantage for the future and eventual employment opportunities,
• that encourages curiosity by developing physical, emotional, social and language skills,
• that represents the image of Canada, that is, of being open to the world and valuing diversity,
• that offers sport and socio-cultural programs to enrich the academic experience and enable global development,
• that helps children understand the world around them and become responsible, engaged and accomplished citizens,
• that recognizes the importance of the school-family-community relationship in achieving academic success.

There are many other advantages, too!

Did you know…

A 2009 study by Statistics Canada compared the sustainability of bilingualism for students from a variety of immersion programs to that of students from first-language French schools in a minority context. Results from this study showed that:

• 98 % of students who attended minority schools benefited from sustainable bilingualism, compared to
• 57 % of students who studied in immersion programs.

Bilingual individuals:

• find it easier to learn a third or even a fourth language.
• obtain better scores on intelligence tests and have a greater ability to concentrate.
• have better skills in literacy and in decoding verbal and non verbal communication.
• are more open towards other cultures.
• find it easier to multi-task and move quickly from one task to another.

In Canada, bilingual individuals benefit from a higher employability rate and earn nearly 10% more than their unilingual peers.

For more information on studies concerning the advantages of bilingualism, visit the following websites:

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/81-004-x/81-004-x2008004-eng.htm

http://www.francais-du-monde.org/2011/05/24/les-avantages-du-bilinguisme/

http://leap.tki.org.nz/Is-bilingualism-an-advantage

http://www.bestcollegesonline.com/blog/2012/04/02/10-proven-brain-benefits-of-being-bilingual/

http://www.hanen.org/Helpful-Info/Articles/Bilingualism-in-Young-Children--Separating-Fact-fr.aspx

For newcomers, Canadians can sometimes seem reserved, but they are a very welcoming and respectful of differences. Our educational institutions encourage new students coming from abroad and many have a goal to increase their foreign contingent. One thing is certain - you will never forget your stay in Canada! What are you waiting for?

For information on tuition or for any other questions, write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Although it has big cities, Canada also retains vast virgin territories and a thriving national and provincial parks network. Temperatures fluctuate considerably in Canada. Some cities receive virtually no winter snow while others receive much. Everyone can find their account, including sports and leisure inside or outside at low cost or free. Our four seasons offer variety and lots of entertainment.

Canada is home to a large number of indigenous people, called First Nations. Over the past 150 years has welcomed 15 million immigrants. Every year some 200,000 immigrants come to us, making Canada the country that annually hosts the largest number of new entrants in relation to its population, which has just reached the milestone of 31 million.

For over a century, the two official languages ​​of Canada (French and English) are taught as a second language, which explains our position of world leader in language training. Students who graduate with a high school diploma from a fransaskois school have reached a higher level of bilingualism.

Compared to other countries, medical insurance is inexpensive in Canada in relation to the services by Canadian hospitals, which are among the most advanced and most accessible in the world.

Canada is a peaceful, politically stable and safe. We have laws that protect the rights of our citizens, and our country is relatively free of natural disasters. Nearly 65 percent of foreign students surveyed in a CBIE poll, in 1999, mentioned the safe country reputation of Canada as major factor has in their decision to study here.

Foreign graduate students have the opportunity to work in Canada for one year after obtaining their degree or diploma, or to continue their studies in one of the many Canadian universities. Foreign students can be employed during their studies.

Graduates are able to get a bilingual certification totalling 36 credits with the possibility of obtaining scholarships from CÉF and and various organizations. That's also the chance to meet people from around the world, as well as from your own country.

Canadian education is highly subsidized by governments, thereby reducing tuition fees. The Conseil des écoles fransaskoises schools adhere to the aims of education in Saskatchewan, based on Ministry of Education programs. All subjects are taught in French, except English courses. Early learning begins in Grade 4 and continues through 12th grade.

This assessment of Canadian achievements based on the level of education, life expectancy, national income and quality of life in general, also took into account the abundant freshwater reserves in Canada, comfortable population density , its low rate of violent crime and its health care system that is the envy of the world.

"Despite the harsh winter that I have lived in Canada, it's a great place. The people are so friendly and different - a multicultural country that never cease to amaze you ..." An international student in Canada.

Attend our next information session via zoom on Tuesday, May 18th at 7:00pm to learn more about French first language schools, including: 

• What they are like for parents and students
• What the benefits are for your child
• What the registration process involves

You will receive a confirmation of your registration for the session as well as additional details and a link to attend the session closer to the date. 

Signup for the information session

Registering Your Child 

• Who can register
• Registration overview

About CÉF 

• School locations
• FAQ

You have questions right now ? 

• Call us toll-free at 1 877.273.6661
• Email us

Admission Process for Saskatchewan's Francophone Schools

Minimum Age Eligibility Chart​

You have a question?

• Call us toll-free at 1.877.273.6661
• Write to us!

Admission process for "right-holders"

Where a "rights-holder" files an application for admission to a school operated by the Conseil des écoles fransaskoises (CÉF), the following steps must be taken:   

1. Schedule an appointment with the principal;
2. Determine with the school in your area whether you live within the school attendance area;
3. Fill out the E-1 form (b) Request for assignment to a school region (available in French only), if the family lives outside the zone;
4. Fill out the forms below (available in French only):
   • E-1 Admission form (child)
   • E-1 Admission Form (Parent)

Or

Download the forms in PDF, fill them ou and email them to the address listed on the form:

• • E-1 Admission form (child)
  • E-1 Admission Form (Parent)

For your meeting at school, do not forget to bring:   

• your child's birth certificate;
• the child's health card (if you have one);
• your child's immunization record;
• your child's report card if he or she is already attending school.

Request for admission permission

When someone who is not a "right-holder" requests authorization to be considered for admission at a CÉF school, the following steps must be followed:   

• Schedule an appointment with the principal;
• Determine with the school in your area whether you live within the school attendance area;
• Fill out the E-1 form (b) Request for assignment to a school region (available in French only), if the family lives outside the zone;
• Complete and sign application forms for parent and child forms depending on your situation (available in French only):
  • E-1(a) Non Right-Holder (child)
  • E-1(a) Non Right-Holder (Parent)

Or

Download the forms in PDF, fill them out and email them to the address listed on the form:

• • E-1(a) Non Right-Holder (child)
  • E-1(a) Non Right-Holder (Parent)

Please, contact the school for more information on admission procedure.

Am I eligible to send my children to a Francophone school?

The right to a first-language French education is defined by Section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Under the Charter, a child is eligible to attend a French-language school if the parent (right-holder) is a Canadian citizen and meets one or all of the following criteria:

• The first language learned and still understood is French;
• He or she was educated, at the elementary level, in French in Canada (this excludes French immersion programs offered at English-language schools);
• He or she is the parent of a child who has received or who is receiving his or her education at the elementary or secondary level in French in Canada (this excludes French immersion programs offered at English-language schools).

Landed immigrants' children may be eligible to attend French first-language education. They must submit a request for admission as do parents with a Francophone heritage. A committee will evaluate the request. See below.

What if I don't meet the criteria listed above?

Any parent who does not meet the criteria of a right-holder can request permission for admission for their child to a Fransaskois school.

To do this, interested parents or guardians must complete both admission forms (child and parent) relevant to their situation (lost heritage, immigrant or anglophone).

A committee will evaluate the request while taking into consideration the child’s language skills and the capacity of the family to support the child in his or her Francophone education. The request for admission will be considered by the Conseil scolaire fransaskois upon recommendation by your local school’s Conseil d’école.

For more information on admission to a Francophone school, contact your local Fransaskois school.

Association des parents fransaskois

• APF (Fransaskois parents' association) is a major player in supporting the family and parents. It plays a key role in promoting Fransaskois/Francophone education, early childhood development, health promotion, as well as cultural and language development for Fransaskois families. The APF is also responsible for the CAFÉs -- Centre d'appui à la famille et à l'enfance (family and children supports centres) and publishes twice a year the Parents Fransaskois... Bonjour! bulletin.

Association jeunesse fransaskoise

• L'AJF brings together Fransaskois youths, working on specific projects that are integrated with educational programming, such as the Fransaskois volleyball Open and the Fransaskois Youth Parliement (Parlement Jeunesse Fransaskois) . To learn more about AJF, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Assemblée communautaire fransaskoise

• For over 100 years the Assemblée communautaire fransaskoise speaks on behalf of Saskatchewan’s francophone community. Its role is to defend the aspirations and ensure the development of the Fransaskois community. Discover the French fact in Saskatchewan, access the associative network, jobs opportunities available in French, the Fransaskois perspective on linguistic duality, settling in and living in French in Saskatchewan. ACF supports and collaborates  with the Conseil des écoles fransaskoises on many projects and undertakings.

Collège Mathieu

• The only technical and vocational Francophone post-secondary educational institution in Saskatchewan,Collège Mathieu offers a range of courses ranging from family literacy to credited early childhood education programs. For more information, please contact the Collège Mathieu.

Communauté des africains francophones de la Saskatchewan

• The Communauté des Africains Francophones de Saskatchewan Inc. (CAFS) is a community organization, non-profit, apolitical and secular, dedicated to providing support and fostering integration of Francophone Africans, as well as to the promotion of their culture. It is open to all Africans and African francophones, their families, as well as to supporters. Several members of the CÉF staff and parents of children enrolled in schools of the CÉF are active within the organization. The CAFS hosts an annual day of welcome for Saskatchewan newcomers, for which it partners with CÉF.

Conseil culturel fransaskois

• The Conseil culturel fransaskois (CCF) is the official Fransaskois representative in cultural matters and maintains links with its local, regional and provincial members, as well as other cultural and multicultural organizations. Contact the CCF.

Conseil économique et coopératif de la Saskatchewan

• The Conseil économique et coopératif de la Saskatchewan (CÉCS) is the voice for economic development in the francophone community, for which it has been responsible since 1947. The CÉCS offers a wide range of programs and services to meet needs and challenges identified by the francophone community. To find out more.

L'Eau Vive

• La Coopérative des publications fransaskoise publishes l'Eau Vive, a bi-weekly focusing on news and happenings in the Fransaskois community. 

Ici Radio-Canada

• Radio-Canada is Canada's national public broadcaster. A critical media outlet for Fransaskois community with production facilities in Regina and Saskatoon, Radio-Canada broadcasts offers regional programming in French tailored to a Fransaskois audience on TV, radio and on the web.

Fondation Fransaskoise

• The Fondation fransaskoise is a registered charity which aims to provide financial assistance programs for Fransaskois from around the province. The Fondation holds an equity fund whose interests are used to fund projects, activities and bursaries for Fransaskois undertaking postsecondary studies. Each year, the Foundation encourages the community to grow this capital funds. Download the form to make a donation to a fund targeting the specific needs in Fransaskois schools, or target the funds of your choice. You can make a donation online.

La Cité universitaire francophone

• La Cité’s mission is to meet the university education needs of Saskatchewan’s French-speakers, no matter what their first language. Through its philosophy of community engagement, its experience-focused pedagogical approach, and its strategic directions in the field of research, La Cité is a dynamic centre of exchange and reflection on present-day concerns facing the Francophonie. La Cité also plays an important role in the Fransaskois community’s development and outreach.

La troupe du jour

• La Troupe du Jour (LTDJ) develops Francophone theater in Saskatchewan and has been working with CÉF for several years. The "Mots d'Ados" has already helped more than 800 CÉF students receive training in creative writing. All were able to discover the pleasure of writing and express their creativity with confidence. 

Réseau santé en français de la Saskatchewan

• The Réseau Santé en français de la saskatchewan is a provincial network that aims to create an environment where Francophones ask for and receive health services in French, and where institutions and professionals actively offer a continuum of services quality French language health adapted to the needs of the francophone population of Saskatchewan.

Société historique de la Saskatchewan

• The contribution of the Société historique de la Saskatchewan to Fransaskois educational development is perhaps not celebrated as often as it could be. A non-profit association founded in 1978, the Société aims to study the history of Francophones in Saskatchewan from the conditions that led to the arrival of the first French-speaking elements in the Prairies until today. It undertakes to recover and preserve all information relevant to the enrichment of the historical heritage of Francophones in Saskatchewan.