Overview
French Immersion is designed for non-francophone students to develop functional bilingualism in French and English. This program allows students to learn the provincial curriculum while developing French language skills through daily instruction in French from their entry point through to graduation in Grade 12.
Students are immersed in a French-speaking learning environment and develop language skills through meaningful communication and subject learning. By completing the French Immersion program through Grade 12, students develop functional bilingualism in English and French.
The Richmond School District offers two entry points into the French Immersion program.
Registered Richmond School District Students
Early French Immersion (EFI)
Early French Immersion begins in Kindergarten or Grade 1. To ensure a strong linguistic foundation, instruction is 100% in French from Kindergarten to Grade 2, with no English instruction during these years. In Grades 3 through 7, French instruction moves to 80% as English Language Arts is introduced. Students continue the program through Grade 12.
Late French Immersion (LFI)
Late French Immersion begins in Grade 6 and provides an intensive introduction to French. Instruction is 100% in French during Grade 6, and parents should note there is no English Language Arts instruction in the first year. In Grade 7, French instruction moves to 80% as English Language Arts is reintroduced. Students continue their studies through Grade 12.
French Immersion Elementary Schools
Early French Immersion (EFI)
- Anderson Elementary
- Bridge Elementary
- Dixon Elementary
- Gilmore Elementary
- Homma Elementary
- Mitchell Elementary
Late French Immersion (LFI)
- Diefenbaker Elementary
- Whiteside Elementary
French Immersion operates using a catchment-based placement process, and placement in the program cannot be guaranteed due to limited spaces.
How to Apply
Application Period
November 1, 2025 to January 16, 2026
To apply for the French Immersion program, complete the following steps.
Step 1 – Register Your Child with the Richmond School District
Your child must first be registered with the Richmond School District before applying to the French Immersion program. If your child is not already registered, please visit the district student registration page before completing the French Immersion application.
Step 2 – Submit a District Program Options Application
Submit a French Immersion application during the application period listed above. Applicants must provide second and third school choices in case their catchment school or first-choice school is full.
Registered Richmond School District Students
Late Applications
Late applications, including siblings, received after the deadline will be added to the end of the waitlist. Families wishing to submit a late application should contact: programoptions@sd38.bc.ca
How Placement Is Determined
French Immersion placements follow a catchment-based placement process with established priority groups and available space at each school. Applications are first grouped according to the district’s priority order. Students in Priority 1 are considered first, followed by Priority 2, Priority 3 and Priority 4.
Priority 1
Students with an older sibling who will be registered in the French Immersion program at the same school in the same year.
Priority 2
Students who live within the French Immersion catchment boundaries.
Priority 3
Students who live outside the French Immersion catchment boundaries but within the Richmond School District.
Priority 4
Students who live outside the Richmond School District.
If the number of applicants within a priority group exceeds the available spaces at a school, a random draw is used to determine placement for that group. Because the number of applicants varies each year, the number of spaces available at each school may also vary.
If all available spaces are filled during the placement process, remaining applicants will be placed on a waitlist.If spaces become available later, additional placement offers may be made from the waitlist.
After You Apply
Application Confirmation Email
After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation email. If you have not received a confirmation email by January 30, 2026, please contact: ProgramOptions@sd38.bc.ca
Placement Notification
Placement results will be emailed to families on February 10, 2026. Placement results are provided by email only. Results are not provided by phone.
Confirming Acceptance
Parents must confirm acceptance or decline placement by email.
Deadline
February 13, 2026. If a response is not received by the deadline, the student will be moved to the bottom of the waitlist.
Waitlist
Wait lists for Early French Immersion Grade 1 and Late French Immersion remain active until the third Friday of September, while the Early French Immersion Kindergarten wait list remains active until the third Friday of December.
Families will be contacted if a placement becomes available. The district does not provide information about a student’s position on a wait list or the size of the list, and students are not placed after the wait lists are dissolved.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| November 1, 2025 | Applications open |
| January 16, 2026 | Application deadline |
| January 30, 2026 | Contact the district if a confirmation email was not received |
| February 10, 2026 | Placement notifications sent by email |
| February 13, 2026 | Deadline to accept or decline placement |
| September 18, 2026 | Waitlists dissolved for EFI Grade 1 and LFI Grade 6 |
| December 18, 2026 | Waitlists dissolved for EFI Kindergarten |
FAQ (PDF)
Download the French Immersion Program FAQ for additional information.