French Secondary Programs

A few years ago, your family made a decision to enrol your son or daughter in either our board's French Immersion Programs. Now as your child transitions to Grade 9, please find information below regarding the French as a Second Language Secondary Programs.

French Secondary Programs

We offer French Immersion programs at the following three Secondary schools:

Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School in Whitby
Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School in Ajax
St. Mary Catholic Secondary School in Pickering
Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School in Oshawa

Courses offered

In High School, students are required to complete 30 credits to receive their Ontario Secondary School Diploma. Our French Secondary programs requires a student to complete 10 of the 30 credits in French. The chart below outlines the courses students are required to take in French to complete the programs.

Grade 9	Grade 10	Grade 11	Grade 12
French Religion Geography Health and Physical Education	French Religion History Careers and Civics (optional)	French World Religions	French Religion (optional)

Click here to view the 2021-2026 DCDSB French as a Second Language Action Plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I help my child understand the benefits of continuing to learn French until Secondary school graduation and beyond?

Children need to understand that it takes time to develop French-language skills (FSL). Like a novice athlete or musician, an FSL learner cannot master the required skills without instruction and practice over an extended period of time. Identifying bilingual role models can motivate children to continue their French studies.

Take time to discuss the benefits of having French-language skills with children when they are thinking about Secondary school course options, so that they can make decisions that do not limit their future opportunities. Parents and guardians can point out that there are organizations and companies, both in Canada and around the world, that require French-language skills.
Having a high level of proficiency in French can provide additional career opportunities.

What should my child consider when choosing French courses at the Secondary level?

Grade 8 students should reflect on their strengths, interests and goals as they consider the course descriptions and expectations outlined in the Ontario curriculum documents. Students are encouraged to discuss their choices with their current elementary teacher and where possible, with Guidance or curriculum chair during school visits.

Will my child receive a French certificate at graduation?

Your child will receive a French certificate at Grade 12 graduation. This certificate is NOT a bilingual certificate. The certificate will acknowledge the hours your child has spent studying French. Post-secondary institutions will know that your child was enrolled in the French Immersion program based on the course codes.

In Grade 12 Core French and French Immersion students are given the opportunity to complete the DELF French Proficiency Exam. The DELF proficiency exam is official proof of a student's French language skills.

Where can I find information on Post-secondary opportunities to study in French?

Ontario colleges and universities offer courses in French for those students interested in continuing their education in French as a Second language. Students can search for French courses on the websites of Post-secondary institutions.

Registration for Secondary School

If your child is currently enrolled in our elementary French Immersion program, a Guidance counsellor from will visit your child's school for course selection.

If your child is currently enrolled in French Immersion, but attends a school outside of our Board, you can register online or visit the one of the school listed above.

Transportation is provided for our French Immersion students if they reside within the busing zone and as per the busing guidelines.

French as a Second Language Advisory Committee

The French as a Second Language (FSL) Advisory Committee is a group comprised of Durham Catholic District School Board administrators, educators and system leaders. The FSL Advisory Committee meets to discuss French language programs and determine best practices to effectively support these programs in our schools.

The FSL Advisory Committee also includes Durham Catholic secondary students in Grades 9-12 that are currently studying French to take part in these conversations. The students will join the FSL Advisory Committee in learning about FSL programs and will support conversations and initiatives based on the goals for FSL education in the Durham Catholic District School Board. Students representatives will also be involved in providing input for the Ministry of Education Three Year FSL Action Plan for 2021-2026.

The FSL Advisory Committee will meet virtually over the remainder of the school year with meetings planned after school hours.

For further information on the FSL Advisory Committee, please contact our French as Second Language Academic Services consultants at FrenchPrograms@dcdsb.ca.