According to a report released Sept. 30, more students in British Columbia are participating in French language programs than ever before.

Province-wide, French Immersion enrolment has been increasing for 16 consecutive years. The booming popularity of this well-established program is putting pressure on many local school boards to accommodate the growing demand from families.

However, that trend does not apply to the Rocky Mountain School District (School District No. 6).

Over the past six years overall student enrolment in Rocky Mountain decreased by 277 students, or 8.3%. Over the same six years French immersion enrolment in Rocky Mountain has decreased by 74 students, or 33.8%, according to the report released by Canadian Parents for French BC & Yukon.

As of the 2013/2014 school year, there were 145 students in French immersion in Rocky Mountain, or 4.7% of all students in the school district.

Over that same period there were over 49,000 students in French immersion, or 8.8% of B.C.’s public school enrolment.

“We believe French programs are popular in British Columbia because they are widely recognized by parents as providing young students with the tools and experiences that will enrich their lives and help them prepare for the future,” said Patti Holm, President Canadian Parents for French BC & Yukon.

“We urge parents, educators, and local decision makers to work together to plan for French immersion growth and to improve learning outcomes through standardized benchmarks and authentic learning experiences,” Holm said.

While enrolment in French immersion is down in the neighbouring School District No. 6, Southeast Kootenay (School District No. 5) has set a record for French immersion enrolment.

“We believe French programs are popular in Southeast Kootenay because they are widely recognized by parents as providing young students with the tools and experiences that will enrich their lives and help them prepare for the future,” said Holm.

As of the 2013/2014 school year, there were 447 students in French immersion in Southeast Kootenay, or 8.5% of all students in the school district.

Over the past six years overall student enrolment in Southeast Kootenay decreased by 283 students, or 5.1%. Over the same six years French immersion enrolment in Southeast Kootenay increased by 95 students, or 27%.

Province-wide, French immersion attrition (drop-out) is highest between grade seven and grade eight.

To read the 2014 State of French Second Language in BC & YK Report click here.

Canadian Parents for French is a national parent-lead organization dedicated to promoting and creating French second language opportunities for all young students.

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