French immersion in Langley schools

French immersion is a public-school program for children whose first language is not French. In Langley it is run by School District 35, not by the City or the Township. The district’s policy says the aim is for students to become functionally bilingual in English and French, so they can study in French after high school and work in jobs that need both languages.

Two ways in

Early immersion starts in Kindergarten. The district’s page says instruction is 100% in French for the first three years, English Language Arts is introduced in Grade 3, and English instruction grows to a maximum of 20% by Grade 7. Students can join in Grade 1 if there is space. The district lists Belmont Elementary and James Kennedy Elementary as the early immersion schools.

Late immersion starts in Grade 6 for students with no previous French learning. The district says Grade 6 and 7 classes are taught 80% in French, and lists Alex Hope Elementary and Noel Booth Elementary for late immersion.

Overall the district says French immersion is offered in four elementary schools and two secondary schools. Of the secondary schools, we found Brookswood Secondary’s own page, which says its program has run since 1986, enrols about 250 students a year, and includes a provincial exam at the end of Grade 12 and the option to earn the DELF certificate. Entry details for Brookswood are not on that page, so contact the school.

What the policy says

The district’s Administrative Procedure 212, most recently revised November 18, 2025, says:

• A child who turns five between January 1 and December 31 of a year can enter immersion kindergarten that September.
• Openings that come up during kindergarten are filled from the waiting list.
• A student with no earlier immersion exposure cannot be admitted after September 30 of Grade 1 unless they can show the needed skills.
• Immersion schools have attendance areas based on their regular elementary areas.
• Students who leave immersion may earn some core French credits through a challenge process.

Information sessions and applying

The district runs online parent information sessions, and families ask for the link through an expression-of-interest form on the district pages. When we checked, the page listed a session for “Tuesday, Oct. 6” at 6 p.m. without a year, so watch the district page for the next one. Neither district page spells out registration steps or deadlines, so phone or email the district office to ask how and when to apply for your child’s year.

Related

See our pages on the school district and the school board.

Something out of date? Tell us.