French Immersion Programming Changes – Starting September 2026
Updated: December 8, 2025
Edmonton Catholic Schools is making some changes to French Immersion programming in West Edmonton, which will impact the Our Lady of the Prairies school community. These changes are designed to improve student retention, enhance language learning, and better support families.
Beginning September 2026, the French Immersion program at Our Lady of the Prairies Catholic Elementary School will relocate to Holy Cross Catholic Elementary/Junior High School.
Our Lady of the Prairies will continue to offer strong English programming for Kindergarten to Grade 6 students.
Why This Change is Being Made
French Immersion enrolment across the Division is strong, with more than 3,700 students. However, only 20% of students who begin in Kindergarten continue through to Grade 12. To improve retention and strengthen French Immersion programming, we are creating conditions that better support long-term success.
Students who currently receive transportation to Our Lady of the Prairies will continue to be eligible for transportation to Holy Cross. Students who previously walked to Our Lady of the Prairies will be eligible for yellow bus service.
How We Got Here
French Immersion families were asked to share their insights through a series of engagements in 2023-2024. More than half of French Immersion families and 89% of students from Grades 7-12 answered the questionnaire and provided thoughtful insights. Their feedback revealed four key themes: Program Pathways, Transportation, Program Experience, and Cultural Experience.
Moving the French Immersion program from Our Lady of the Prairies to Holy Cross will address these needs
- It will reduce transition points by consolidating west-end French Immersion programming into a cohesive single-track K-9 site. Families overwhelmingly identified transition points between Grades 6 and 7, and Grades 9 and 10, as key drop-off stages for student retention.
- It will improve transportation for French Immersion students. We heard from families that school location and travel time are major barriers. All K-6 French Immersion students from Our Lady of the Prairies, including those who previously walked to that school, are eligible for yellow bus service to Holy Cross.
- Bringing students together in one cohesive program unlocks powerful benefits in an optimal learning environment. With more classes at each grade level, students will experience a vibrant and dynamic French Immersion community. Teachers collaborate more deeply, sharing expertise and creating richer, more engaging lessons. For students, this means a truly immersive French environment where language learning thrives and cultural experiences expand. A single-track program will deliver fewer transitions, stronger friendships, and a consistent, high-quality immersion journey.
- It will strengthen language development with more opportunities to read, speak, and engage in French daily. Through mentorship and deeper teacher collaboration, students will learn from role models and experience a strong sense of community within a stable learning environment.
Learn More
French Immersion families were invited to an information night on November 27, 2025 to hear about the upcoming changes. If you were unable to attend, we invite you to review the presentation below. It outlines how the decision was made, what it means for French Immersion students, and the benefits this move is expected to provide.
French Immersion Programming Changes
Edmonton Catholic Schools is committed to a strong, vibrant, and viable K-12 French Immersion program. We want to support student success while reflecting the needs of our families. To help ease the transition, families were encouraged to provide feedback from November 28 - December 5.
We thank all those who participated. A “What We Heard” report will be released in the coming days.
Through these changes, we will ensure students continue to experience the lifelong benefits of learning another language and culture for years to come.
Should you have any questions, please email engagement@ecsd.net
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are you making this change?
This change is intended to help improve student retention in French Immersion programming and to address needs identified by French Immersion families. Through Division-wide engagement, families identified four key areas for improvement: Transportation, Program Experience, Cultural Experience, and Programming Pathways. Relocating the French Immersion program to Holy Cross Catholic Elementary/Junior High School directly addresses these needs and supports long-term success for students.
What transportation options are available for my child if they move to Holy Cross?
Students who currently receive transportation to Our Lady of the Prairies will continue to be eligible for transportation to Holy Cross. Students who previously walked to Our Lady of the Prairies will be eligible for yellow bus service to Holy Cross. Grades 7 to 9 students attending Holy Cross will be eligible for yellow bus service. For detailed transportation options, please visit the Holy Cross website.
My child is currently enrolled in French Immersion at OLOP, what are our options?
Students currently enrolled in French Immersion at Our Lady of the Prairies will automatically have Holy Cross Catholic Elementary/Junior High School indicated as their school for the 2026-2027 school year through the pre-enrolment process, which opens in February 2026. If your child wishes to remain at Our Lady of the Prairies, they will need to transition to English programming. Principals Marcel Evaristo (Our Lady of the Prairies) and Marlene Forest-Wallace (Holy Cross) are available to support families and answer any questions throughout this transition.
How can I learn more about Holy Cross?
Holy Cross will be hosting an Open House on Thursday, February 12. This is a great opportunity to tour the school, meet the teachers and Principal Marlene Forest-Wallace. You can also visit their website to learn more and watch the school’s Open House Video.
What does single-track K-9 French Immersion mean?
A single-track immersion program provides a fully immersive experience. With the exception of Religion and English Language Arts, students are immersed in the French language within the classroom and within the school environment, giving them additional opportunities and exposure to the language.
I have one child in French Immersion and another in English programming, can both move to Holy Cross?
Holy Cross Catholic Elementary/Junior High School is a single-track French Immersion site and does not offer English programming. Students enrolled in English programming will continue to attend Our Lady of the Prairies or another designated English program school. Families with children in both programs are encouraged to speak with their school principal.
Are there out-of-school care options at Holy Cross?
Yes. There is full-day preschool and before-and-after school care at Holy Cross. For details, please reach out to the school directly.
I love my French Immersion teachers at Our Lady of the Prairies. Will they be moving to Holy Cross?
Edmonton Catholic Schools is committed to supporting students, families, and staff throughout the process. Staffing decisions will be finalized in the spring, after teachers have had a chance to meet with their principal and Human Resources.
Will these changes impact English Programming at Our Lady of the Prairies?
Our Lady of the Prairies will continue to be a vibrant school offering excellent English programming. This change helps address space challenges, as the school has been operating at or above capacity for a number of years. This adjustment allows Our Lady of the Prairies to focus fully on English programming while continuing to live its mission to provide a joyful Catholic education that inspires students to grow in faith, hope and love.
What does the future of French Immersion look like at ECSD?
The future of French Immersion at Edmonton Catholic Schools is strong. With more than 50 years of experience offering French Immersion, ECSD remains committed to its long-term success. The move to a single-track K–9 site at Holy Cross Catholic Elementary/Junior High School is a positive step forward. It will strengthen the program by creating a unified learning environment where students can deepen their language skills and cultural understanding. This change supports academic excellence and prepares students to thrive in both of Canada’s official languages.