ADMISSIONS
What is involved in the admissions process at Calgary French & International School? When is the deadline, and what are the requirements? How does it compare to other schools? How should you factor these into your decision?
Page Contents
Facts and analysis
VISITING THE SCHOOL
Upcoming open houses will be announced here.
An open house includes a campus tour and meetings with teachers, staff, and students. Hosting open houses is a typical practice among schools.
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Why it matters
A school visit offers a firsthand look at the environment, culture, and daily life of the school. It provides an opportunity to ask questions, observe interactions, and verify your expectations directly. It's a vital part of an informed choice.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
Calgary French & International School offers rolling admissions.
See the deadline distribution for all other schools we cover below.
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Application deadline by enrollment type(s)
Month Calgary French & International School Other schools Rolling admissions Fixed deadline Rolling admissions September Day admissions 0% 88% of all other schools have rolling admissions October Less than 1% November 2% December 7% January 1% February 2% March 2% April 1% May 1% June Less than 1% July 0% August 1% -
Why it matters
The admissions timeline helps you plan and prepare for key milestones, including school visits, application submission, and acceptance notifications.
ENTRY GRADES
The highest number of new enrollment openings include Grade(s) NS, PS and JK.
The highest number of openings across all other schools we cover include Grade(s) NS, PS and 9 (for the same grades offered at Calgary French & International School).
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Breakdown by grade
Entry grade Number of openings available: Day Calgary French & International School Average of all other schools Nursery/Toddler 12 - 24 25 Preschool 32 24 JK 48 16 SK 8 - 12 10 Gr. 1 0 - 3 10 Gr. 2 0 - 3 8 Gr. 3 0 - 3 8 Gr. 4 0 - 3 9 Gr. 5 0 - 3 9 Gr. 6 0 - 3 9 Gr. 7 5 - 10 16 Gr. 8 0 - 3 10 Gr. 9 0 - 3 23 Gr. 10 5 - 15 13 Gr. 11 0 - 3 13 Gr. 12 0 - 3 13 -
Why it matters
Popular entry grades may offer more opportunities for peer integration and more extensive orientation programs at the school. Applying to these grades may increase the chances of admission and support a smoother social and academic transition for the student.
ACCEPTANCE RATE
75% of all applications are accepted.
Acceptance rate at Calgary French & International School is typical of the schools we cover.
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Breakdown by grade
Grade Acceptance rate: Day Calgary French & International School Average of all other schools Nursery/Toddler 100% 37% Preschool 70% 39% JK 85% 42% SK 80% 36% Gr. 1 50% 40% Gr. 2 80% 37% Gr. 3 80% 36% Gr. 4 80% 36% Gr. 5 80% 36% Gr. 6 80% 36% Gr. 7 80% 38% Gr. 8 80% 35% Gr. 9 80% 40% Gr. 10 80% 38% Gr. 11 80% 37% Gr. 12 80% 35% -
What Calgary French & International School says it looks for in students
Families that find CFIS to be a good fit are committed to multilingual education enriched with global thinking, and enjoy being part of and contributing to our diverse school community. The ideal candidate for a CFIS is a student who is a curious and engaged learner and thrives in a diverse community. Self and mutual respect, strong character and a family emphasis on volunteerism and a commitment to education are all important characteristics in a CFIS student.
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Why it matters
A school's acceptance rate gives you an indication of how competitive the admissions process is. Understanding this can help you set expectations and make strategic decisions about where to apply. Please note that the acceptance rates provided here are approximate.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The admissions process may require an interview and an entrance exam.
See grade-by-grade admissions requirements at Calgary French & International School and how they compare with other schools.
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Breakdown by grade
Grade Required by Calgary French & International School % of schools requiring Interview SSAT SSAT (out of province) Entrance exam Entrance essay Nursery/Toddler - - - - - Interview: 7% Preschool - - - - Interview: 18% JK - - - - Interview: 35%, Exam: 4% SK - - - - Interview: 35%, Exam: 5% Gr. 1 - - - Interview: 51%, Exam: 16%, Essay: 2% Gr. 2 - - - Interview: 52%, Exam: 19%, Essay: 2% Gr. 3 - - - Interview: 53%, SSAT: 1%, Exam: 21%, Essay: 2% Gr. 4 - - - Interview: 55%, SSAT: 1%, Exam: 23%, Essay: 3% Gr. 5 - - - Interview: 57%, SSAT: 1%, Exam: 25%, Essay: 5% Gr. 6 - - - Interview: 60%, SSAT: 2%, Exam: 26%, Essay: 7% Gr. 7 - - - Interview: 63%, SSAT: 2%, Exam: 28%, Essay: 10% Gr. 8 - - - Interview: 64%, SSAT: 2%, Exam: 28%, Essay: 10% Gr. 9 - - - Interview: 52%, SSAT: 2%, Exam: 25%, Essay: 10% Gr. 10 - - - Interview: 50%, SSAT: 2%, Exam: 22%, Essay: 11% Gr. 11 - - - Interview: 50%, SSAT: 2%, Exam: 22%, Essay: 11% Gr. 12 - - - Interview: 44%, SSAT: 2%, Exam: 17%, Essay: 10% -
What Calgary French & International School says about the application process
Application fee: $275
Registration fee: N/A
Deposit: $2,000
Description:Calgary French & International School is a full French immersion school that prepares children with the tools to learn Spanish and graduate with internationally recognized mastery of French and English.
Most students new to CFIS do not speak French at home with their families. At CFIS, our French immersion learning environment is designed to meet the needs of students who are new to the French language.
Our application process is intended to find a mutually good fit between families, students and the school. Our Admissions team considers each applicant’s academic record, character, and citizenship qualities.
We welcome many new students to the CFIS community each year, and are excited to meet your family.
If you have any questions about the application process, our Admissions Team is here to help! Please email us at admissions@cfis.com.
Student Eligibility: No previous experience in French is required for admission to our Early Childhood Division — Junior Preschool, Preschool, Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten — and for Grades 1 to 4 through our Embark transitional immersion program.
Our Elementary and Secondary divisions welcome applicants currently attending a Francophone or French immersion school in all grades. Students entering Grade 5 to Grade 12 must be currently attending a Francophone or French immersion school to be eligible to apply and attend CFIS.
Application Process:
Step 1: Visit CFIS for a tour and information session.
Step 2: Complete an application at CFIS.com: Start Here
Step 3: Applicants complete an educational assessment (Junior Preschool excluded). Preschool and Junior Kindergarten applicants participate in an assessment with a parent.
Step 4: The Admissions Office offers placement to the applicants' family.
Step 5: The applicants' family confirms enrolment by signing a tuition agreement and paying a deposit.
International Students: CFIS welcomes applications from international families. Families who do not have Canadian citizenship or permanent residency status are considered international. CFIS also requires:
- At least one parent of international students must possess a valid work or study permit during the application process, which must not expire before the start of school in September.
- The student must reside with their family. We do not offer boarding facilities or a homestay program.
- The student must be proficient in French if applying to Grade 3 and higher.
All applications received prior to the application deadline will be given equal consideration, regardless of the timing of their receipt. We are excited to receive your application and ask that you apply only in the appropriate year, not sooner.
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Why it matters
Understanding admission requirements is crucial as you assess your fit with a school and the likelihood of acceptance. These requirements often reflect the school's educational priorities.
