Grand Erie clarifies transportation and transition supports for French immersion students

Casandra Turnbull

Managing Editor

This is a follow-up to The Paris Independent’s November 12 story headlined: “Parents fight French Immersion relocation plan.” 

Weeks after parents went public with concerns over the relocation of Grand Erie District School Board’s French Immersion (FI) program from North Park Collegiate (NPC) to Brantford Collegiate Institute (BCI), the board has responded with clarifications, contradicting some information shared by local families affected by the program change. 

In email responses to a series of questions from The Paris Independent, Ryan Strang, Senior Manager of Communications and Community Relations for Grand Erie, said information has already been provided to affected families, and that long-term data, declining retention and expanded course options drove the decision.

But parents and the board continue to present starkly different versions of key points, especially transportation, timing and transparency.

Parents interviewed in November said they were told there would be no busing for Paris students attending BCI, calling it “one of the biggest concerns” and “a major barrier.”

The board disputes that characterization.

“Yes, information has already been communicated with all families currently at North Park,” Strang said, adding that Paris-area FI students transferring fully to BCI will receive transportation from Paris to BCI.

Where the confusion lies is within the current Grade 9 student base, who beginning next year have the option of fully transitioning to BCI or taking a hybrid approach of attending BCI for half a day, for one semester throughout their remaining high school years to graduate with a French Immersion Certificate while still attending North Park Collegiate as their main school base. The board confirms there will be no transportation for the students who choose a half-day arrangement - attending BCI for FI credits and NPC for remaining classes - a phased option parents requested to minimize disruption.

“No, transportation will not be provided for students who elect to stay at North Park part time,” Strang said.

Parents say not every family can realistically transport their child midday between two Brantford schools.

Parents previously told The Paris Independent they were not given a reason for terminating FI at NPC and have been unable to access documents used to make the decision.

“We still don’t know the reason why this decision was made,” parent Celeste Bilbao-Joseph said earlier this fall.

In his response, Strang referred to the Secondary Program Review conducted in 2022 and said declining retention at NPC was central to the decision.

“As the report indicates, over the past five years, the French Immersion retention rate at Brantford Collegiate has increased to 86%, whereas the retention rate at North Park has steadily declined to 57%,” Strang wrote.

He points to the Secondary Program Review Report which refers to data that shows that FI students attending BCI are more likely to stay with the program, compared to those at NPC. The Review goes on to state these findings were 'based on the review that included the disaggregation of data undertaken, using the Guiding Principles of the LTAP, The French Immersion Review by Watson & Associates Ltd. and the recommendations of the Special Ad-Hoc Committee on French Immersion.' Strang said these findings were communicated to families prior to course selection for the 2026–27 school year. That report is posted online at www.granderie.ca/board/board-and-committee-meetings/policy-and-program-committee 

The school board says that consolidating FI at BCI strengthens programming because one site supports “a greater number of French Immersion course options” and ensures students can obtain necessary credits before the February course selection deadline.

Strang said the full Long-Term Accommodation Plan (LTAP) is available online at www.granderie.ca/board/publications#LTAP. Parents have consistently asked for a grandfathering method to allow current Grade 9 students to finish FI at NPC, while new FI students begin at BCI.

The board’s current “phase-in” option permits Grade 9 students to take FI courses at BCI while remaining at NPC part-time in Grades 10, 11 and 12.

However, with no transportation provided for those students, parents say the option is effectively inaccessible to many.

Strang also noted that transition supports are being built into the relocation plan.

“To support current North Park French Immersion families and students, an open house was held at Brantford Collegiate Institute, where staff and students showcased the program, the school community, and the available opportunities,” he said.

He added that the BCI principal “has personally visited the North Park students,” FI teachers may be able to transfer, and “support will be available for any individual students who require additional support with transitions.”

Parents interviewed earlier described the move as “emotionally destabilizing,” especially for students who have already changed schools multiple times throughout their FI education.

Strang reiterated that he understands change is not easy and “as always, we will work closely with students, families, and staff to ensure a seamless transition to a positive experience for all.”