Admissions

• Be between 7 and 16 years old.
• Display any specific learning disability(ies):
  • Dyslexia
  • Dysorthography
  • DLD (Developmental Language Disorder)
  • Dyscalculia
  • Nonverbal learning disorder (NVLD)
  • Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
  • Auditory processing disorder
  • Dyspraxia
  • Executive function disorder
• Have average or above-average intellectual potential
• Delayed educational achievement in any of the following subjects: the language of instruction or mathematics.

Please note that the above-mentioned admission criteria alone do not constitute the conditions of eligibility, but that the entire file must be studied to ensure that our environment can meet the needs of your child and that they can develop in harmony with our environment. Your child’s motivation is also taken into consideration when making a decision.

It is important to know that, according to the request of the Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur du Québec (MEQ), we must prioritize students who have an inter-board agreement granted by a school board. However, families who wish to do so can apply directly to Vanguard School.

References

Students may be referred by:

• School Boards or School Service Centres;
• parents;
• educational professionals (teachers, remedial educators);
• personal service professionals (psychologists, social workers, guidance counsellors, etc.);
• Hospitals, referral centers, and institutions that come into contact with students for whom our school might be suitable.

Languages of instruction

Instruction is offered in English and French.
The student may be enrolled in the English sector if they hold a certificate of eligibility for instruction in English.

Applications for admission must now be submitted online, via our portal. 

The application period generally runs from November to January for the elementary, and from February to May for the high school. 

We remind you that priority is given to students who have an agreement with a school board.

For full details of the process, see our online Admissions Guide.

Step 1: Prepare the admission file

Applying for admission requires preparation, as there are several steps to complete. Here are some tips to help you prepare:

• Make sure you have a digital copy (PDF) of all required documents.
• Keep a copy of all documents you send us in your personal files.
• To complete the parent questionnaire, you will be asked for your child’s permanent code. This information can be found on your child’s report card.

Please note that only complete files will be considered by the admissions committee. 

The admission file must contain the following documents:

• Your child’s birth certificate or civil record 
• Certificate of eligibility for English-language instruction, when required 
• Your child’s most recent report card and final report cards for the last 3 years (last 2 years if in grade 2);
• Your child’s most recent Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and previous version;
• An intellectual evaluation report including a WISC-V with interpretation, as well as any test that can be used to establish a profile of the student’s cognitive functioning. The report must be dated within the last 2 years;
• A speech-language pathology evaluation or intervention report, as recent as possible, if the student has received this service;
• Reports from various professionals, if applicable (special education, occupational therapy, audiology, neuropsychology, etc.);
• Parent questionnaire: to be completed by the student’s parents or legal guardians;
• School questionnaire: to be completed by the teacher, orthopedagogue, principal, etc. You will need to send the link to the questionnaire to the relevant person.

Step 2: Apply for admission online

Once you have all the necessary documents, it’s time to fill out the online application form. 

There is a $50 application and analysis fee. This can be paid online via the portal, by credit card. 

N.B. Payments by cash or cheque are not accepted.

Step 3: Following up on the application

In the weeks following receipt of the application, the admissions team will first ensure that the file contains all the required elements. Please note that only complete files will be passed on to the selection committee. Admissions files are reviewed in the spring, and admission decisions are announced in June.

Details of the 2024-2025 Open House are not yet available. To express your interest in visiting the school, please fill in this form. We will contact you as soon as a date has been set to invite you to the event.

Transportation

Considering the vast area served by our school, several transportation options are available to meet needs, such as private school transportation, public transit and carpooling. 

Please consult this document for transportation options offered by Vanguard School.

Tuition fees

The fees (registration, related fees and lunchtime entertainment) are $910 for elementary school students without an agreement and $730 for high school students without an agreement.

For students with an agreement, the $150 fee is assumed by their school board. These rates have been in effect since 2024-25 and are subject to change. Please note that in addition to these fees, as in all environments, there are fees for daycare services at the elementary level, as well as fees for teaching materials, school supplies and school transportation ( according to demand ).

General questions

From what age and school year can a child be admitted?

Children can be admitted as early as grade 2 (generally from age 8), and as late as secondary 5, in both the English and French sectors.

Can I apply to both the English and French sectors?

It is possible to submit an application that will be considered for both the English and French sectors. You will be asked this question in the initial questionnaire. You’ll need to include a certificate of eligibility for English-language instruction with your application.

How can I get an agreement with our CSS so that our child can be prioritized?

Based on our experience, we suggest that you take the following steps:

• Meet with the people at your child’s school (teacher, principal, specialists, etc.) to understand your child’s progress at school;
• During this meeting, ask about your child’s progress and the resources in place;
• Depending on the child’s needs, ask if the interventions carried out with the child can be readjusted;
• Discuss the medium- and long-term prospects for re-education in your child’s school or CSS;
• Contact your child’s school principal to find out whether a referral from them is possible, or whether services can be provided to your child in his or her current environment.

*Please note that it is the responsibility of the CSS to judge the need for a referral agreement with École Vanguard for each of its students. However, the decision whether or not to accept a student rests with École Vanguard.

Can I enroll my child at Vanguard even if my CSS does not refer him/her?

Vanguard’s mandate is to give priority to CSS referrals (extraterritorial agreement). However, the parent is always entitled to submit an admission request directly without this referral.  Note that these files are processed after the CSS files.

Admission process questions

How do I submit my application to the school?

Applications must be submitted online, via our admissions portal. See Online admission and required documents for details. Applications received by e-mail, mail or in person will not be considered.

What is the application deadline?

For the 2025-2026 school year, you can apply during the following periods: 

• Elementary: November 5, 2024 to January 31, 2025
• High school: February 4 to May 1, 2025.

How can I check the status of my application? 

You can track the progress of your application on the admissions portal. Follow-up information will also be sent to you by e-mail.

When will I hear about my child’s admission?

Most decisions are not made until June, since the school must first determine the number of available places by academic level.

How does the waiting list work?

Students on the waiting list are those whose files meet the school’s eligibility criteria, but for whom no place was available. If a place becomes available, we will contact the family concerned to offer them the opportunity of admission.

Where does my child rank on the waiting list?

Unfortunately, it’s impossible for us to say exactly where your child is on the waiting list, since the list evolves from day to day, following the agreements and requests made by the CSS.

How long can a child stay on the waiting list before being admitted?

The waiting list remains active until September 30 of the school year for which you applied. For example, if you applied for the 2024-2025 school year and there were no places available, your child can be admitted from the waiting list until September 15, 2024. After this date, the waiting list will no longer be valid for that school year. You will be able to reapply for admission the following year, and your application will be reviewed again. 

Transport questions

Will my child be entitled to transportation?

Vanguard school provides transportation for an increasing number of students from one year to the next. Some children may be transported by their own school board or (for many of them) by transportation provided by our school.

Please note that carpooling is also encouraged, and that direct shuttles between our school and metro stations are also in place to facilitate transportation for everyone.  If you have any questions about your own situation, please don’t hesitate to contact us at the following address: Transport