Full-Day Kindergarten
The OCDSB offers a two-year, full-day, 50/50 bilingual kindergarten program. The program is designed to enhance equity of opportunity and access for all students to all program pathways and to ensure that both pathways provide all students with the opportunity to develop competency in English and French.
Elementary Program Options
The District has a rich offering of programs. Beginning in grade one, students have access to four English language elementary programs incorporating French as a Second Language:
a) English Program with Core French (Grades 1-8)
Students in the elementary English Program receive instruction in the English language in all subject areas as well as instruction in French through Core French (40 minutes daily).
b) Early French Immersion (Grades 1-8)
Students in the Early French Immersion Program receive instruction in both English and French. In grade 1, students receive 80 percent of instruction in French. In grades 2-6, students receive 60 percent of instruction in French. In grades 7-8, students receive 50 percent of instruction in French.
c) Middle French Immersion (Grades 4-8)
Students in the Middle French Immersion Program receive instruction in both French and English. In grades 4-6, students receive 66 percent of instruction in French and in grades 7-8, students receive 50 percent of instruction in French.
d) Alternative Program with Core French (Grades 1-8)
Students in the Alternative Program receive instruction in English in all subject areas as well as instruction in French through Core French (40 minutes daily). The program is founded on the following tenets: cooperative and non-competitive environments; innovative and differentiated approaches to teaching and learning; differentiated assessment and evaluation; child-centered and directed approaches to learning; multi-age groupings; integrated curriculum; and, extensive family and community involvement.
The Alternative program is offered in a number of designated, single track sites across the District and students access the program based on their geographic boundary.
For more information on the English Program please visit the English Program website.
For further information please read our French as a Second Language Programs factsheet.
Parenting and Family Literacy Centres
The EarlyON Child and Family Centres offer a wonderful introduction to the kindergarten program by providing a play-based parent and child environment. Parents attend the Centres with their children who range in age from birth to age 6.