Homeschooling Québec FAQ

Understanding Homeschooling Québec

1) Is homeschooling legal in Québec?

Yes, homeschooling is legal in Québec. You can read about the legal aspects of homeschooling in Quebec here in this article by the Association Québécoise pour l’ Éducation à Domicile (AQED).

Keep in mind, however, that there are specific regulations that parents must follow to ensure they comply with the provincial education system's requirements and standards. Children who are homeschooled are not required to attend public or private school, but they must receive an education that is comparable to or exceeds what is provided in the formal schooling system.

For example, while the Government of Québec allows for some flexibility in homeschooling, parents must notify the local school board of their intention to homeschool their child. This is required by law and must be done annually. The government also requires a learning project, reports, and a monitoring meeting. Periodic evaluations, including standardized testing or assessments by education professionals, are used to ensure that the child is receiving an appropriate education. Please note that we will talk about the steps you need to take to start homeschooling below in section #3.

It's important for parents considering homeschooling in Québec to stay up to date with any changes in the regulations, as they may evolve. If you want to learn more about homeschooling expectations across Canada, have a look at the following blog posts: Required Subjects for Homeschooling: Province by Province Part 1 and Required Subjects for Homeschooling: Province by Province Part 2. These guides will review what sort of expectations there are in each province, including Québec. If you are a newcomer to Canada, see the Government of Canada’s post, Learn about education in Canada.

2) What qualifications do I need to homeschool my children?

While parents do not need specific qualifications to homeschool their kids, we have some advice to help you below.

Image source: Ketut Subiyanto

In Québec, parents are not required to have specific qualifications to homeschool their children. However, they are responsible for providing an education that meets (or goes beyond) the standards set by the Ministry of Education.

Essential Responsbilities

While there are no formal qualifications required for parents to homeschool, the key responsibilities include:

• Developing a Curriculum: Parents must ensure their child is learning the required subjects and skills as outlined by the provincial education standards. This means parents should create or choose an educational program that covers topics such as mathematics, language arts, sciences, and social studies.

• Providing an Adequate Education: The government expects that homeschooled children receive an education comparable to what they would receive in public or private schools. This includes teaching age-appropriate material and ensuring progress in the child’s academic development.

• Evaluating the Child's Progress: Parents are responsible for monitoring their child’s progress. In some cases, the local school board may ask for proof of educational progress through assessments or evaluations.

Although parents don’t need formal teaching qualifications, some parents may choose to collaborate with educational professionals, join homeschooling groups, or take courses themselves to better understand how to teach their children effectively.

Keys to Effective Teaching

To teach your children effectively, here are some key qualities to cultivate if you're considering homeschooling your children (please note that you can find these same tips in our other article for Homeschooling Ontario FAQ):

• Patience: Homeschooling often requires flexibility in approach, and things don’t always go as planned. Children may need extra time to grasp concepts, and you might encounter moments of frustration. Patience will help you handle these moments calmly and effectively. Practice mindfulness techniques, take regular breaks, and remind yourself that progress takes time. Stay patient with both your children and yourself. Here is an article to check out: Tips for Being More Patient with Your Kids.

• Organization: Effective homeschooling requires planning, scheduling, and tracking a variety of activities, lessons, and progress. Staying organized will help you manage time, resources, and materials efficiently, leading to a smoother homeschooling experience. Create a weekly or monthly lesson plan, keep track of assignments and progress, and organize your home learning space so it’s conducive to learning. Use tools like planners or digital apps to keep things in order. Click here for a link to our free planner!

• Adaptability & Flexibility: Every child learns differently, and the homeschooling environment is more flexible than traditional school settings. You may need to adapt your teaching style or adjust lessons to meet the specific needs of your children. Be open to trying new methods and materials, observe how your children respond to different approaches, and be willing to make changes when something isn’t working. Sometimes things don’t go according to plan, and children may not always meet your academic expectations in the timeline you set. Being flexible helps you navigate those challenges without becoming overwhelmed. Stay focused on long-term goals rather than immediate perfection, and adjust your expectations based on how your children are progressing. Allow yourself to make mistakes and learn from them.

• Strong Communication Skills: As a homeschooling parent, you’ll need to communicate effectively with your children, explaining lessons, giving clear instructions, and answering their questions. You’ll also need to discuss educational goals and progress with them. Practice active listening, ask open-ended questions, and work on explaining concepts in a clear, engaging way. Regularly check in with your children to ensure they’re understanding the material.

• Time Management: Homeschooling often involves balancing many tasks—teaching, planning, grading, household responsibilities, and sometimes, working outside the home. Time management is crucial for making sure everything gets done and that both your children’s and your own needs are met. Have a look at our blog, Time Management Tips for Homeschooling Parents. Prioritize your tasks, set realistic goals for each day, and use a schedule or timer to stay on track. Make sure to build in breaks for both you and your children.

If you have started or are considering homeschooling Ontario, watch this video from ToriAnn Perkey.

• Creativity: Homeschooling allows you to be creative in how you present lessons and engage your children. Bringing creativity into the learning process can help make subjects more interesting and memorable for your children. Think outside the box when planning lessons, and incorporate hands-on activities, field trips, or interactive learning experiences. Use creative resources like educational games, art projects, and technology tools.

• Self-Motivation and Discipline: Homeschooling can sometimes lack the external structure of a traditional classroom. Being self-motivated and disciplined ensures you stay on track with your teaching goals and your children stay motivated to learn. Set clear goals for each school day, keep a consistent schedule, and hold yourself accountable. Develop routines that help your children stay focused and productive.

• Empathy: Homeschooling requires you to understand your children’s emotional and educational needs. Being empathetic helps you respond to their struggles with compassion and encouragement, fostering a positive learning environment. Take time to connect with your children on a personal level, understand their challenges, and provide the emotional support they need to succeed. Always celebrate their successes and offer support during setbacks.

• Research Skills: As a homeschooling parent, you’ll often need to find new materials, methods, and resources. Researching different educational strategies and subjects will help you provide the best learning experience for your children. Become comfortable using online resources, read educational books and articles, and engage with other homeschooling parents in communities and forums for advice.

Developing these qualities will help you to be better equipped at creating a successful and fulfilling homeschooling environment for your children. You’ll discover that homeschooling is a deeply rewarding experience, but it can be challenging. Cultivating these skills will make the process smoother and more enjoyable for everyone.

3) How do I start homeschooling in Québec?

Click here to watch other Homeschooling explanatory videos like this one.

If you haven’t done so already, have a look at our other blog post, Homeschooling Quebec - 2024 Ultimate Starters Guide. We also encourage you to go directly to the steps listed on the Government of Québec’s education site here; however, we’ll review some of the basic steps to starting up below:

• Notify Your Local School Board: You must notify your local school board (or school service center) of your intention to homeschool. This is required by law and must be done annually. The notification should be submitted “to the Direction de l’enseignement à la maison of the Ministère de l’Éducation as well as to your school service centre (SSC) or school board (SB)”. This is to be done by July 1st or within 10 days of your child’s last day attending school during the school year.

• Create an Educational Plan: You are responsible for designing and submitting your child’s learning project and ensuring that your child receives an education that meets or exceeds the requirements of the Québec education system. This includes core subjects such as:

  • Language arts (French/English)

  • Mathematics

  • Science

  • Social studies

  • History, etc.

  While not mandatory to submit your full curriculum, you should be ready to explain how you plan to cover the required subjects. For more information about the learning project and general information about Homeschooling Quebec FAQ, consult the Guide for Parent-Educators here.

• Assess & Monitor Your Child’s Progress: Your child’s progress will be monitored, and you will be expected to provide a status report, a mid-term report, and a completion report. You will also be expected to attend a monitoring meeting.

• Keep Records: Although there is no official attendance requirement, you should keep records of your child’s learning activities, subjects covered, and progress made. If the school board asks for evaluations, you’ll need to have materials ready to demonstrate your child’s progress. You may be asked to provide evidence of your child’s learning through assessments, testing, or work samples.

Keep in mind that students, including homeschool students, are required to take ministerial examinations. Click here for more information about these exams.

4) Can my child return to public school after being homeschooled?

Students who are homeschooled may transition back to the public school system in Québec.

Image Source: Arthur Krijgsman

Yes, a child who was homeschooled in Quebec can return to public school; however, their language of instruction may depend on their English eligibility status. 

In Quebec, the language of instruction in schools is primarily governed by the Charter of the French Language (Bill 101), which establishes French as the official language of instruction in most schools. However, there are exceptions that allow students to be educated in English, particularly for those who meet certain eligibility criteria. Learn about the legislation and eligibility for instruction in English here.

5) What resources are available to support homeschooling families in Québec?

There are various resources for homeschooling families available in Québec. These include the following:

• Curriculum Guides: The Québec Ministry of Education provides curriculum documents (Le Programme de formation) that can serve as a framework for homeschooling.

• Support Organizations: Groups like the Association Québécoise pour l’ Éducation à Domicile (AQED) offer support, information, and networking opportunities.

• Online Communities: Engage with local homeschooling communities and forums to share experiences and resources.

• Online Curriculum & Courses: You can access curriculum and courses online from many websites these days, including EZ-Teach!

Don`t forget to also browse our resources page! Have other questions? Contact us!

Make Learning EZ!

EZ-Teach provides both homeschooled families and other educators with resources designed to make learning and education easy.

We offer curriculum, online courses, ESL, tutoring, and advice to help both students and teachers alike.

If you have more questions, we’d love to chat. Explore our website or click on the button below to contact us.