Quebec’s public school system is facing increasing pressure as demand for alternative schools outpaces supply, leaving some parents reluctantly turning to homeschooling. The number of alternative schools in the province has risen significantly in the last decade, but many families uncover themselves on waitlists, unable to secure a place for their children. This growing gap is prompting a re-evaluation of educational options for Quebec families, with a focus on personalized learning and parental involvement.
In 2014, Quebec had 31 alternative schools. As of today, that number has grown to 49 public establishments, encompassing 45 primary and four secondary schools, collectively serving over 8,000 students, according to reporting from Le Devoir. Despite this expansion, the demand continues to exceed available spaces, forcing parents to explore alternatives like homeschooling. The surge in interest reflects a broader desire among parents to have a more direct role in their children’s education and to find learning environments that better suit their individual needs.
Eight new alternative school projects are currently underway across the province, including two slated for secondary students, according to Julie Bouchard, president of the Réseau des écoles publiques alternatives du Québec. However, the process of establishing these schools is often lengthy and complex. Bouchard noted that while eight projects are “official,” We find likely more committees working to establish alternative schools throughout the province.
A Lengthy and Uncertain Process
Creating an alternative school isn’t a quick undertaking. Parents often face years of effort and potential roadblocks from school boards. Christine Brabant, a professor at the Faculty of Education at the University of Montreal, described the process as “arduous, nebulous and arbitrary.” A 2024 study she contributed to found that establishing an alternative school can take between four and seven years of sustained effort from parents. This lengthy timeline can be “demobilizing” for many, according to the study, available via DOI: 10.7202/1113029ar.
Mélanie Tremblay, a mother of two children attending an alternative school in Delson, in the Montérégie region, understands this frustration firsthand. She explained that by the time a new alternative school opens, families who initiated the project may have already seen their older children move on to other educational paths. “The parents who are really eager to found this project, by the time the project is finalized, their older children generally don’t even have the chance to attend the [alternative] school that just opened,” she said.
The challenges extend to finding suitable facilities. In some areas, parents have mobilized to create alternative secondary schools, only to be met with the reality of limited building availability. As one parent in Delson lamented, “Unfortunately, there are no buildings or premises available.”
Parental Involvement as a Key Driver
The appeal of alternative schools lies, in part, in the increased opportunities for parental involvement. Parents are drawn to the chance to actively participate in their children’s learning, sometimes dedicating several hours a week to classroom support. Brabant observed that this trend reflects a broader desire among parents to prioritize their children’s well-being and have a voice in their education.
Beyond involvement, alternative schools often distinguish themselves through the absence of traditional letter grades, reduced homework loads, and the use of multi-grade classrooms, allowing students to learn at their own pace. These features appeal to parents seeking a less rigid educational environment than that offered by traditional public schools. Virginie Amyot-Ghirotto, whose child attends the Atelier alternative school in Montreal, expressed a growing disillusionment with the conventional system, noting that her child’s school “puts less pressure on performance” and values student autonomy.
Lucie Benoît, whose children attended L’Envol-du-Colibri school in Lachute, highlighted the personalized approach to teaching as a significant benefit, filling a gap she perceived in the public school system.
Homeschooling as a Safety Net
In areas where establishing an alternative school proves difficult, some parents are choosing to take matters into their own hands by homeschooling their children. Ève Denis, a mother in Granby, began homeschooling her daughter due to the lack of a primary alternative school in her area, joining a growing number of parents who are “rolling up their sleeves and taking care of their children’s education themselves.”
Mona Baker is considering homeschooling as a backup plan if she cannot secure a spot for her child in an alternative school. To improve her chances, she has moved from Montreal to Longueuil, where there is less competition for places. “I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a spot in September,” she said, acknowledging the financial strain that homeschooling could impose on her family. For Baker, keeping her son out of his current school is not an option.
The increasing demand for alternative education options in Quebec underscores a shift in parental priorities and a desire for more personalized learning experiences. While the expansion of alternative schools is underway, the lengthy and often challenging process of establishing them is driving some families to explore homeschooling as a viable alternative. The situation highlights the require for continued dialogue between parents, educators, and policymakers to ensure that all Quebec students have access to an education that meets their individual needs.
The Réseau des écoles publiques alternatives du Québec continues to advocate for increased support for alternative education initiatives and streamlined processes for establishing new schools. Parents interested in learning more about alternative education options in Quebec can find resources on the organization’s website and through local school boards.
