Central Quebec School Board, Quebec

Locations

Québec City is the only fortified city in North America north of Mexico, with close to 4.6 km of walls and imposing gates to explore. It is located a 30 minute flight by air from Montreal or 1 hour from Boston. With a strong focus on tourism, a high percentage of its population is fully bilingual in English and French. The Central Québec School Board (CQSB) is situated in historical Québec City but its territory covers nearly one-third of the province of Québec. The Board has served the English speaking community since 1867.

The Central Quebec School Board has jurisdiction over 18 schools and one Adult and Vocational Education centre. Eight of our nine Secondary (High) Schools have a student population of less than 500. We have four Secondary (High) schools; eight Elementary schools and six schools that offer instruction from Kindergarten to Secondary V (Grade 11). The largest Elementary school serves more than 450 students and the smallest serves approximately 50 students.

The excellence of our students’ results on the June 2010 Ministry Uniform Examinations confirmed the Central Québec School Board as the English school Board with the highest success rate in the province last year: no small feat for a school board with the largest territory - and some of the most geographically isolated schools - in the province!

With our smaller-than-average class sizes, CQSB offers international students the unique opportunity for more individualised attention in safe, caring schools where students and teachers have the chance to build meaningful interpersonal relationships. Our strength is in the personal touch we can offer each and every student due not only to the size of our schools but more importantly, to the professional and caring attitude of our teaching, professional and support staff as well as the pedagogical leadership we entrust to our administrators both at the school level and at the Board office.

CQSB families hosting our international students will be recruited through our schools and in the local communities where our schools are located. All families will undergo a thorough screening and selection process. Families will ensure a warm, caring environment with a private bedroom, nutritious meals and healthy snacks. Some families are anglophone and others francophone. The international student has the opportunity to choose whether he or she wants a French or English speaking family based on availability.

Three of our host schools are situated in or near historical Québec City. Students will have the opportunity to take a horse-and-buggy ride in beautiful Old Québec, to take part in our world-famous Winter Carnival and to visit a variety of museums, historic sites and cultural events. Quebec City is within driving distance of several ski resorts – it is a city that gets lots of snow! Quebec is also a city of festivals!

One of our host schools is situated in Saguenay – known for its breathtaking scenery, students will have access to a variety of activities all year long; they may choose to go whale watching the in Fiord du Saguenay and with the impressive snow collection, winter sports are a must!