The parent’s committee at a French-language elementary school in Lachute is not pleased with a decision by the regional school authority to cancel an English program at the school.
The Centre de services scolaire de la Rivière-du-Nord has cancelled the English+ program at École St-Julien for the 2026-2027 school year. The program normally serves students in grades six to eight.
According to a press release issued by the committee, on June 10, several parents attended the last annual meeting of the École Saint-Julien governing board to present their arguments in favour of continuing this unique program in the region. This followed several previous attempts to obtain information about the future of the program: an initial request sent to the administration on April 22, and a second on May 5. After a long wait, a response was eventually received, but no further action was taken. This the parents to contact, on June 3, member of the legislature Agnès Grondin, and Centre de services scolaire de la Rivière-du-Nord Director-General René Brisson. To the parents’ surprise, even the governing board members did not seem to have been informed of the fragility of the program or its possible cancellation. At the school governing board meeting, the parents reaffirmed their interest in collaborating with the school to find a sustainable solution ensuring the continuation of the program. The following week, the administration conducted a consultation with the school’s students to gauge families’ interest in the program. The principal had indicated that feedback would be provided to parents once the survey was completed. However, the parents allege no follow-up was conducted, and parents were instead presented with a fait accompli when the decision to end the program was communicated to parents on June 19, just after the end of classes.
The parents’ press release explains that the reasons given by the administration for the cancellation of the English+ program were organizational, ministerial, and union constraints. The parents consider these reasons vague and say no concrete evidence has been provided to explain why the program could not be maintained.
The English+ program was offered on a voluntary basis to students in the third cycle who wish to invest more time and effort in learning English. It spans two years, requiring a combined Grade five and six class to ensure continuity of instruction. One full day per week was dedicated to English instruction. Students develop their oral and written skills while strengthening their autonomy, discipline, and ability to manage a more demanding learning pace. This component does not diminish the other core subjects; rather, it aims to enhance the academic experience by allowing students to progress in a second language while maintaining all the requirements of the regular curriculum. The administration indicated that parents could participate in discussions to develop a new approach starting in 2027-2028. For parents, this proposal is insufficient and unacceptable, as it creates a one-year gap without a solution for students who were supposed to continue their studies, and postpones the discussion until many of the students concerned will have already left elementary school. Furthermore, it implies that nothing can be done for 2026-2027, which the parents strongly contest.
The parents also regret that the decision was communicated so abruptly and late in the school year.
The parents’ committee maintains that the English+ program plays a particularly important role in a region like Argenteuil, where the linguistic reality is deeply marked by a bilingual presence, where the socioeconomic disadvantage index is high, and where many students have an increased need for academic stimulation to maintain their engagement.
The parents have contacted Québec’s student ombudsman and have received confirmation that the cancellation of the English+ program at École St-Julien in Lachute will be evaluated.
