Education
In Ontario, school is mandatory for children aged 5 to 16.
According to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Francophone parents have the right to enrol their children in a French-language school from kindergarten onwards (ages three to five, depending on a child’s date of birth).
In Ontario, grade levels are organized as follows:
- Elementary school: Kindergarten to Grade 6
- Junior high school: Grades 7 and 8
- High school: Grades 9 to 12
- Post-secondary: college and university
The Town of Hawkesbury has four French schools:
- École élémentaire publique Nouvel-Horizon: Kindergarten to Grade 6
- École élémentaire catholique Paul VI: Kindergarten to Grade 6
- École secondaire catholique régionale de Hawkesbury (ESCRH): Grades 7 to 12.
- École secondaire publique Le Sommet: Grades 7 to 12.
The nearest English-language schools are in Vankleek Hill, about 15 kilometres from Hawkesbury
- Jude Catholic School Kindergarten to Grade 8
- Pleasant Corners Public School (PCPS): Kindergarten to Grade 8
- Vankleek Hill Collegiate Institute (VCI): Grades 9 to 12
Post-secondary education
The only post-secondary institution in the city is the campus of La Cité, a Francophone college. It is attached to the École secondaire catholique régionale de Hawkesbury (ESCRH). La Cité offers a variety of programs, which are in constant evolution.
To pursue a university education, it is necessary to leave Hawkesbury. It’s possible to commute daily to certain universities, but many students find it necessary to live in a university residence or rent an apartment nearby. The French-language universities that are most popular among Hawkesbury residents are:
- The University of Ottawa (bilingual).
- Saint-Paul University in Ottawa (bilingual).
- Université de Hearst, with campuses in Hearst, Kapuskasing and Timmins (Francophone).
- University of Sudbury (bilingual)
- Québec universities (a transition year or equivalence is required).
Courses for adults
Hawkesbury has three organizations that provide courses and training for adults.
The Centre Moi J’Apprends offers adult literacy services. A member of the Ontario Adult Learning Coalition (OALC), it focuses on improving general and essential skills to increase employability, meet the demands of the local job market and prepare workers for available jobs.
The Consortium d’apprentissage virtuel de langue française de l’Ontario (CAVLFO) offers a referral service for adult learners who want to obtain their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and improve their career prospects. CAVLFO connects adults with online continuing education and credit courses provided by French-language school boards.
The Programme d’éducation aux adultes of the Conseil scolaire de district catholique de l’Est ontarien (CSDCEO) offers individualized programming for learners 18 years of age and older. It offers independent study courses leading to the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), as well as programs leading to vocational certificates.
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