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I'm considering moving to Montreal with my husband and two kids, aged 5 and 7. The kids already have been through moving to another country and learning a second language (we moved from the US to the Netherlands 2.5 yrs ago), so I'd prefer not to do that to them again so soon, and thus would like them to go to an English speaking school.
1. I've found the list of these on the English Montreal School Board, but how do I find out which are better than others?
2. Is there a site with school rankings or stats that I can use to do some research?
I'm also trying to research housing costs. Ideally, we'd like to live in a standalone house with a yard, but we don't want to be too far away from downtown Montreal, where I will be working.
3. How much might I have to pay monthly for, say, a 3-bedroom detached house within a 30-minute public transport commute of downtown?
4. Which web sites should I use for finding houses for rent in Montreal? I know now is not a good time, since we just passed the July 1 moving day, but I'd like to get something of an idea of what is available to rent.
I believe new immigrants to Quebec are compelled to go to French school only,its the law.You might want to verify your eligibility status with the school board.
If thats not an issue then Along with the English Montreal School Board the other English school board is the Lester B Pierson school board.
Rental for a detached 3 bedroom bungalow? budget around $2000 a month.
play around with this site for housing options= http://montreal.craigslist.ca/search/apa?housing_type=6
Thanks jambo. It seemed to me that "international" students are allowed to attend English schools: http://www.emsb.qc.ca/en/services_en...tration_en.asp. Am I misunderstanding this (very likely)? Also, I'm not sure yet under what sort of visa I would be coming into the country with. It seems that temporary work visa people can also have their kids attend English schools.
^^ I opened the link you provided above. The "International Student" option is geared towards temporary study (as in student exchange, for example), with a Student Visa, and for a fee. Did you see the payment options on the bottom? $7,500 for an elementary school year.
International Students
International Student Process for the EMSB
The Parent/Guardian/Agency must complete the attached questionnaire and forward it to EMSB (intstudent@emsb.qc.ca) so that a school can be chosen with the interests of the student in mind. The Letters of Admission for both the C.A.Q. (Certificate D’Acceptance de Quebec) and Study Visa will be prepared.
When the C.A.Q. has been received from Immigration Quebec, the Custodian of the Student (for those requiring custodianship refer to Home stay) will come to the EMSB with
the C.A.Q.
the birth certificate of the student showing parents names (in their mother tongue and translated into either English or French
a Certified Cheque or Money Order payable to the EMSB to cover the period the student will attend school.
We will then complete the registration for the student and apply for the Certificate of Eligibility for the student to attend English School.
There is nothing complicated in eligibility rules. If at least one of the parents studied in Canada in English, OR the child herself had prevoiusly studied in Canada in English. Plus it means Canadian citizenship, of course. Then they are eligible to study in Quebec in English. It is really that simple.
But the OP says she is an "expat" -- does it mean she is an expat from Canada in Europe? Or does she just habitually use the term, but originate from USA? OP, if you are Americans, then you are immigrants or visitors, or temporary workers from the POV of Canada. Just like any other person from any other country. And your children must study in French, in Quebec. Unless you pay $7500 per child + fees if you want them to be international students.
To avoid possible confusion, it's worth noting that when "international students" are referred to for the purposes of this discussion, those students are adult university students. Their kids can get an exemption and go to English public school.
Also, someone who comes here on a temporary work visa can also send their kids to English public school.
But if you come here with some form of immigrant status it's French public school or those pricey English private schools Nuala referred to.
Well I avoided mentioning private schools, on purpose. The public-domain EMSB has listed fees for for international students - including elementary school level.
Quote:
The Tuition Fees (payable to the EMSB) for 2013/2014 school year are:
Elementary School $7500.00 CDN
High School $9000.00 CDN
I'm currently an American expat living in the Netherlands.
The company in Montreal said this regarding my visa to Canada: "We're not sure at this point since this would be dependent on your eligibility for NAFTA (depends on several things, one of them being 'is your degree related to the role that you would have'). Once process is completed, if everything goes well, our immigration specialists would get in contact to start the visa process and that's when we would have more details. NAFTA would be the first option, if not we'll have to do an LMIA process." Would either of these result in a temporary worker visa that would make my kids eligible for English school?
I'd still like to know more about online sources to learn about school rankings/stats, find housing, etc. See the questions in the original post.
I'm currently an American expat living in the Netherlands.
The company in Montreal said this regarding my visa to Canada: "We're not sure at this point since this would be dependent on your eligibility for NAFTA (depends on several things, one of them being 'is your degree related to the role that you would have'). Once process is completed, if everything goes well, our immigration specialists would get in contact to start the visa process and that's when we would have more details. NAFTA would be the first option, if not we'll have to do an LMIA process." Would either of these result in a temporary worker visa that would make my kids eligible for English school?
I'd still like to know more about online sources to learn about school rankings/stats, find housing, etc. See the questions in the original post.
Thanks for all the info so far!
I suspect that under either of these programs you'd be seen as temporarily in Quebec and your child could get the exemption to go to English public school. You should contact the English Montreal School Board to confirm as they likely deal with this every day.
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