Students attending English-language schools take French as a Second Language. There’s a strong push for bilingualism, and many students can interact with people in both languages on a regular basis, which can foster greater cultural integration and understanding.

The academic system in Montreal follows the Quebec education system, which places emphasis on the core subjects of English, French and Mathematics. 

High school students typically attend school from Grade 7 to Grade 11, with the equivalent of high school finishing in Grade 11 (secondary school), after which students may move on to CEGEP (a post-secondary institution) before university.

In Montreal, there is a strong focus on preparing students for CEGEP, which offers specialized programs in the sciences, arts, and other fields of interest.

Montreal is known for its cultural diversity, and this is reflected in high schools as well. Students come from various cultural and ethnic backgrounds, bringing a rich blend of traditions, languages, and perspectives into the classroom.

Students often participate in community events, international days, and cultural celebrations that reflect this diversity.

Each school has its own Code of Conduct. The student must read the school’s agenda carefully to understand the school’s rules and regulations. Below are some key elements that all the schools include. Students are expected to:

• Treat all people with kindness, consideration, and respect
• Respect the school environment and help keep the school clean
• Respect school property as well as the property of others
• Accept diversity, promote co-operation, and encourage mutual respect
• Use appropriate language, which shows respect for others, including peers

School attendance is compulsory. Students are expected to arrive to school on time before the bell rings. Should an absence be required, the guardian/homestay parent must advise the school through the Mozaïk online platform (link:  https://portailparents.ca/accueil/en/) 

Students arriving late without a valid reason will be warned with a possibility of a consequence. If students are disciplined with a detention, they are required to stay after school for a certain amount of time. For justified lateness, the guardian/homestay parent must advise the school through the Mozaïk online platform in advance or before the start of the first class.

Each school has its own policies for students who are absent and are late for class.

All our schools have a specific school uniform. The school uniform must be respected and worn every day at school. There is also a compulsory uniform for your Physical Education class including appropriate gym shoes. Details of where to purchase the school uniforms will be communicated by the school advisor during the summer months before your arrival to Montreal.

Most high schools start their day between 8:00AM – 9:00AM and end their day between 3:00PM – 4:00PM. Classes are held from Monday to Friday. 

There are a total of 300 teaching minutes per day, either 6 periods of 50 minutes, or 4 periods of 75 minutes. Lunch is approximately 50 minutes. Each school determines its own schedule for each student.  A timetable of courses will be issued to the student at the beginning of the school year.

Textbooks are supplied to students without charge. These books are the property of the English Montreal School Board and must be returned to the school at the end of the school year or upon withdrawal from the school. Any lost or damaged books must be paid for by the student. This applies to library books as well. 

The school Agenda is a resourceful tool to keep track of homework, upcoming exams, projects and events.  It also contains important information about the school’s policies, rules and regulations.  Upon receiving the agenda, it is recommended to read the content to understand the schools and student’s role and responsibilities. 

All students are provided an official EMSB email address.  This will be used to communicate to teachers and administrative staff in the school.  As well, the email address will be used to access educational platforms- Google Classroom and Microsoft TEAMs.  These platforms are used to upload assignments, lesson plans and information relevant to the subject. 

• Report Cards

The passing mark for all subjects is 60%.  EMSB schools issue progress reports in October and term reports in November, February and end of June. These grades reflect the overall academic performance of the student in each subject and are based on the submitted projects, class assignments, written work, and periodic class tests.

• Exams

There are two sets of formal exams for all high school students. They take place in January and June. In addition, Secondary 4 and 5 students have ministry exams in June.  The marks for the final exams make up a large percentage of the final grade of the student.  Therefore, it is important for the student to keep up with their school work and seek out remediation and resources if they are experiencing academic difficulties.

• Parent/Guardian Interview Night

A “Meet the Teacher Night” is scheduled in September allowing the parents and guardians to acquaint themselves with the student’s educator for each subject. They will discuss the expectations of the student along with the content of the subject matter.

After each term, a formal Parent/Guardian/Teacher meeting is held to discuss the student’s performance in the subject.  Students and guardians will receive an email from the school about the parent/teacher interview night with directives on how to schedule a meeting with the teacher.

• Requesting a Meeting with Teacher

Should the parent/guardian have concerns about the learning development of the student during the year, the teacher can be contacted by email at any time. Teachers will respond within a reasonable delay.

Cheating is defined as obtaining or attempting to obtain, or aiding another to obtain credit for work, or any improvement in evaluation of performance, by any dishonest or deceptive means.  Plagiarism is copying the work of another without proper authorization, or by not crediting the original author. The EMSB holds a zero-tolerance policy on students guilty of cheating or plagiarizing. Students will risk failing an assignment/exam and the guardian/homestay parent will be advised. Each school has its own disciplinary actions towards cheating and plagiarism including suspension, or even expulsion. 

A standard classroom at an EMSB high school is a dynamic and multicultural environment designed to promote collaboration and inclusivity. It typically features desks arranged in rows or clusters, equipped with modern technology such as smartboards, projectors, and laptops for interactive learning. The walls are decorated with educational materials, reflecting the subject’s content, along with student work and cultural posters. Classrooms emphasize group work, discussion, and participation, fostering a respectful atmosphere where students from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to share their perspectives. With a focus on both academic and personal growth, these classrooms integrate technology, multicultural content, and collaborative teaching methods to create a well-rounded learning experience.