Students can experience a truly bilingual learning environment through Elk Island Public Schools' (EIPS) French Immersion programming. "I love being in the French Immersion program here," says Fawn Bianchini, a Grade 6 French Immersion student at École Campbelltown. "It's fun, our teachers show us how people live in other francophone countries and teach us about French Canadian traditions. It makes me feel proud of what I can do."
French Immersion students across EIPS schools learn in bilingual learning environments that equip them with skills and knowledge they can use throughout their lives.
EIPS' French Immersion program provides learners, kindergarten to Grade 12, with a high-quality, linguistically and culturally rich learning environment that fosters high proficiency in both of Canada's official languages. The program's goal: To develop functionally bilingual students. Students enrolled complete the regular Alberta Education curriculum in French, and a regular English language arts course. "It's about giving students the best possible start and equipping them with a skill they'll use for the rest of their lives," says Christine Gourley, the French Immersion consultant with EIPS. "These are skills they can use anywhere, whether they're travelling, building a career or just connecting with people across Canada."
Not only do students gain French language skills, but they also have the opportunity to learn about French cultures. These learnings will be displayed at EIPS' French winter carnival-themed information sessions and open houses, which will feature special guest performances and fun activities, including live music and storytelling, crafts, games, maple taffy making, circus activities and performances, and more. Forest Grove School, Salisbury Composite High School and Ardrossan Junior Senior High will also have information about French Immersion at their open houses, on February 3, 11 and 12, respectively. "We are so excited for families to visit our French winter carnival-themed open houses," says Gourley. "It will be a great experience for them, and they will get to hear from students, like Fawn, about their learnings and experiences in the program. And, for those with a sweet tooth, they can even make some maple taffy!"
Interested students and families are invited to attend an upcoming winter carnival French Immersion information session and open house at the following locations:
- February 4: Ardrossan Elementary -- including a tour of Ardrossan Junior Senior High
- February 10: Heritage Hills School
- February 12: École Parc Élémentaire
Registration for the 2026-27 school year opens in February 2026. To register in kindergarten or Grade 1, no previous knowledge of French is required. Students entering the program after Grade 1 are considered on an individual basis. For more information and specific registration dates, see the EIPS Guide to Registration 2026-27.
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