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Welcome to Moose Jaw's École Ducharme

École Ducharme is the Conseil des écoles fransaskoises (CÉF) school in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. It serves Francophone families from Moose Jaw and surrounding area that seek quality Francophone education for their children at the elementary school level. The French first language education offered at École Ducharme is delivered by teachers who are inspired by best practices in use across Canada. And it all starts with our free prekindergarden program.

By registering your children at École Ducharme, you are ensuring they will have access to the very best education available anywhere. Every new day at school will help them acquire new academic skills. They will develop their Francophone identity through enhanced, tailored programming. You will discover a world of learning opportunities for your children and possibly yourself. École Ducharme's qualified teachers and educators -- with the support the local francophone community -- all contribute to students' success and the school's in delivering exceptional educational services.

Francophone education at École Ducharme

Moose Jaw's École Ducharme opened in 1995 as a result of efforts by a small group of local francophone parents to seek that would teach French as a first language to their children. They approached what was at the time Regina's Francophone school board to request educational services to meet their needs. The school operated initially as a statellite school of Regina's École Monseigneur de Laval. The intent was to eventually reorient the school to reflect Moose Jaw's local contextual dimensions, while remaining in the Regina Francophone School Region. In 1999, Moose Jaw's Fransaskois school joined Division scolaire francophone n°310, which has become today the Conseil des écoles fransaskoises.

Studies have shown that Francophone schools are the best place for francophone students to get an education -- and they will have the advantage being fully bilingual at the end. Enrollment in French first language education will lead to students self-identifying more readily as bilingual Francophones than if they attend immersion school. Francophone students spend the school day in an environment where day-to-day life occurs predominently in French. This includes school interaction with parents, between teachers and ultimately with the community at large. Students experience French as a language not only for going to school, but for their future workplace and life in general. Their proficiency in French will remain longer. It will be part of who they are.

Incidentally, because of the nature of the environment in which we live, proficiency in English is easily acquired by our students. They learn French first, but they acquire English just as fast. Our Francophone students end up developing as good a command of the English language as native English-speakers.

Francophone education prepares students well for today's life journey

Upon graduation, our students' proficiency in both French and English tends to broaden the scope of choices available to them through advanced education at technical institute and college levels. Their Francophone school years are sure to influence the careers paths they will follow. The family decisions our graduates eventually make as adults are more likely to reflect the Francophone experiences at the heart of the Fransaskois school foundations. Perhaps they will be compelled to give the gift of Francophone education to their own children. This cycle of life is intricately woven through education, culture and community.

École Ducharme is an essential ingredient in helping ensure the Fransaskois contribution to the shaping of Saskatchewan society remains vibrant in the years to come.