French Immersion




"I like to learn French because then  I can speak French with my Dad.  He speaks french too."

Ben,  SK French Immersion student

"It is wonderful to learn  Canada's other official language."

Layla, Grade 5 French Immersion Student 

"Learning the French language will help me with my future career!"

Luke, Grade 8 French Immersion Student

"My DELF certificate which is a French proficiency certification is  recognized in 165 countries & opens up many possibilities for me."

Madelyn SCCDSB Graduate

Laurier University, Business Degree with a Minor in French

Facts About French Immersion

The French Immersion programme is designed to provide non-francophone children with a high degree of proficiency in the French language. The goal of this program is to provide the opportunity for students to attain a meaningful level of functional bilingualism. It is a program designed for families who do not have anyone at home who have any prior knowledge of French.  All communication between the school and home will be conducted in English, (e.g. newsletters, memos, report cards). 

Facts About Bilingual Learning

The study of a second language is an enriching educational experience that has shown to contribute to the social, emotional and intellectual development of learners. A significant body of research on cognitive psychology has shown that second language acquisition helps develop problem-solving, hypothesis-testing skills as well as fostering creativity. 

Benefits of Bilingual Learning

Second language learners:





Secondary French Immersion students engage in service learning to create and publish books for an elementary French Immersion library. 

Catholic Lens

French Immersion at St. Clair Catholic DSB is different. Our goal for every student in our Catholic learning community is to become:

People choose Catholic schools as an extension of their families. They want the values taught at home to be witnessed and lived at school. This is precisely what we offer in a Catholic school community. In our French Immersion schools, we support this in the child’s second language. Our French Immersion students learn and grow in their faith supported by our Growing in Faith, Growing in Christ religion program and the Ontario Religion Curriculum. Our students live their faith in two languages, encountering Christ every day within our schools. We strive to have our students see and understand themselves as beloved children of God, who have many gifts to share with the world, including a second language. 

DELF Far More than a Certificate

The Diplôme d’études en langue française (DELF) is an internationally-recognized test of French proficiency for persons whose first language is not French. It is based on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), which defines language proficiency along six global levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2. At each level, proficiency is measured across four competencies: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The French Ministry of National Education awards successful candidates a diploma. 

We offer Grade 12  students the opportunity to participate in the DELF. 

Having successfully passed one of the DALF / DELF exams, the candidate receives an official Diplôme issued by the Ministère de l'Éducation Nationale of France through the Centre International d'Études Pédagogiques (www.ciep.fr). The candidate also receives his/her marks for each portion of the exam. 

This life-long certification is recognized internationally by employers and postsecondary institutions: For example, the B2 level is required for entrance into most universities in France. And, of course, the Diplôme and the accompanying proficiency descriptors are the perfect addition to any résumé, outlining in very practical terms what the individual is capable of doing in French.

We believe this approach will provide our students with a decided advantage in accessing future post secondary or work-related opportunities that require French language experience and expertise. In addition, this internationally recognized DELF diploma is considered as possessing the highest and most universally accepted set of standards in determining such proficiency. 

You've Chosen St. Clair French Immersion...  Now What?

Resources for Parents

Day Care Options

All of our French Immersion schools (Gregory Hogan Sarnia, Christ the King Wallaceburg, St. Anne Blenheim and Monsignor Uyen Chatham) offer Extended Day Childcare Programs, Before and After Childcare and Full Day care.

Extended Day Childcare Programs

Extended day programs offer the child before and after school care that is an extension of their daily learning. The program is offered in one of the Kindergarten classrooms, by a third-party child care provider.

The program is optional to families on a fee-for-service basis. Information on programs and how to register, can be found on the Childcare web page linked HERE.

Before and After Childcare

We are pleased to offer licensed before and after school programs operated by third-party child care providers. The before and after school program offers

children (3-12) more opportunities to learn and grow and delivers a seamless day with fewer transitions.

Full Day Childcare

The St. Clair Catholic District School Board believes that welcoming, school-based child care programs, give our families the advantage to access seamless learning and care for their children within a single location. Our Board is pleased to partner with excellent, fully licensed child care operators in the region.

Our Schools

St. Clair Catholic currently offers a successful French Immersion program in several of our schools for students from Junior Kindergarten through grade twelve. We believe students enrolled in this program not only acquire strong language skills in Canada’s two official languages, but also receive a rich academic foundation formed in an affirming Catholic faith community.  Click on the French Immersion school below closest to you to learn more.

Christ the King Catholic School Wallaceburg

Gregory Hogan Catholic School Sarnia

Monsignor Uyen Catholic School Chatham

St. Anne Catholic School Blenheim

Register at Our Schools

Click here to learn more about registering at one of our Elementary French Immersion Schools.