2023-24 French Immersion Applications Now Open for Grade 1 Entry
French Immersion is a proven way to gain excellent French language skills. Research shows that immersion is an effective path to achieving fluency in French.
The French Immersion program is designed to provide English-speaking students with opportunities to become skilled at communicating in French as well as English. At HWDSB, the French Immersion program is an option for students beginning in Grade 1.
The program opened for online applications for the 2023-24 school year on November 28, 2022. An offer of placement is guaranteed to all applicants, however not at a specific school.
Applications for Grade 1 entry into French Immersion are only accepted through the online application form linked below. This application is only available to current Senior Kindergarten students (born in 2017). You will require your child’s Ontario Education Number (OEN) to register, which can be found on their last report card.
A Grade 1 system-wide application process for entry to French Immersion allows for program placement of students, monitoring of accommodations, balance of enrolment, and long-term stability of the French Immersion program.
Click here to register your child for French Immersion.
French Immersion website to learn more: hwdsb.on.ca/fi
2022 French Immersion Digital Booklet: 2022-Digital-FI-Booklet
2023-24 Application Process Flyer: French Immersion Flyer
French Immersion email for further questions: [email protected]
Families of Senior Kindergarten students considering the French Immersion program were invited to a virtual information session on Wednesday, November 23, 2022 ahead of the 2023-24 application process. For those who missed it, a recording can be viewed below, or on the HWDSB YouTube channel.
Important Dates for 2023-24 French Immersion Application Process
| Wednesday, November 23, 2022 from 7 – 8 p.m. | French Immersion Information Night for Families |
| Monday, November 28, 2022 at 9 a.m. | Application process opens for Senior Kindergarten students only |
| Monday, January 16, 2023 at 9 a.m. | Deadline for applications |
| Friday, February 24, 2023 by 4 p.m. | Program location offered to parents/guardians |
| Friday, March 9, 2023 by 4 p.m. | Deadline for program acceptance and registration |
| Monday, April, 3 2023 | Application re-opens for late applicants |
| By Friday, May 5, 2023 | Process applications received from April 3 – April 30 |
| By Friday, June 2, 2023 | Process applications received from May 1 – May 31 |
| By Friday, July 7, 2023 | Process applications received from June 1 – June 30 |
| Monday, August 21, 2023 | Process applications received from July 1 – August 20 |
| Week of August 28, 2023 | Schools contact parents for registration and orientation |
| Week of September 11, 2023 | Process applications received from August 21 – September 10 |
| Week of September 12, 2023 | Process Applications received from August 22 – September 11 |
We guarantee an offer of placement in the program (not a specific school) for applications received by the 9 a.m. deadline on Monday, January 23, 2023.
French Immersion Schools for the 2022-23 School Year
| Sherwood Secondary School Cluster | Westdale Secondary School Cluster |
| A.M. Cunningham (Gr. 1-5) | Bennetto* (Gr. 1-8) |
| Eastdale (Gr. 1-8) | Cootes Paradise (Gr. 1-5) |
| École Élémentaire Michaëlle Jean (Gr. 1-8) | Dalewood (Gr. 6-8) |
| Frank Panabaker (Gr. 1-8) | Dundana (Gr. 1-5) |
| Lawfield (Gr. 1-8) | Earl Kitchener (Gr. 1-5) |
| Norwood Park (Gr. 1-8) | Flamborough Centre (Gr. 6-7) |
| Parkdale (Gr. 1-5) | Guy B. Brown (Gr. 1-8) |
| W.H. Ballard (Gr. 6-8) | Kanétskare (Gr. 6-8) |
| Mary Hopkins (Gr. 1-5) | |
| Sir William Osler (Gr. 6-8) |
Visit our find a school page to find what French Immersion school your child would attend.
Updated on Wednesday, February 01, 2023.