Montréal School Curriculum and City Education Rules

Education Quebec 3 Minutes Read · published February 11, 2026 Flag of Quebec

In Montréal, Quebec, school curriculum standards are set by the provincial government but affect day-to-day schooling in local schools. Parents should know how the Québec Education Act and the Québec Education Program shape what teachers must teach, and how local school service centres and boards implement those standards in Montréal schools. This guide explains who sets standards, how they are applied in Montréal, and practical steps parents can take if they have concerns about curriculum, accommodation, or implementation in their child’s school.

Start by raising questions with your child’s teacher or principal; many issues are resolved at the school level.

Who decides curriculum standards

The Government of Québec, through the Ministère de l'Education, publishes the Québec Education Program and holds statutory authority under the Education Act to set mandatory objectives and subject programs for elementary and secondary schools [1][2].

How standards are applied in Montréal schools

Local school service centres and school boards in the Montréal region adopt the provincial programs and create local implementation plans, pedagogical supports, and assessment schedules; individual schools and teachers follow these frameworks while adapting classroom practice to students’ needs [3].

Penalties & Enforcement

Curriculum standards are not enforced by municipal bylaw penalties; enforcement and oversight are administrative and educational, not criminal. Specific monetary fines or daily penalties for failing to teach the provincially required curriculum are not specified on the cited page for the Education Act or ministry guidance. Administrative remedies and corrective measures are handled through school authorities and the Ministère’s supervisory powers [1].

  • Enforcer: Ministère de l'Education and local school service centres or boards (administrative oversight, reviews, directives).
  • Inspection/complaint pathways: contact the school principal, the centre or board complaint office, and the ministère for escalation.
  • Appeal/review routes and time limits: formal complaint and review procedures are set by each school service centre or board; specific statutory deadlines are not specified on the cited pages.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: orders to comply, directives from the ministère, administrative oversight, and, in rare cases, ministerial interventions.
If you believe a school is not teaching the required program, document dates and communications before filing a complaint.

Applications & Forms

Many school service centres publish complaint or accommodation request forms; however, the exact names, form numbers, fees, and submission addresses vary by centre and are not specified on the cited page of the ministry. Contact your local centre or board for the current form and submission method [3].

Common violations and typical outcomes

  • Failure to follow mandated program sequences — typically addressed by remedial plans or directives from the board or ministère.
  • Missing required student evaluation or reporting — usually corrected through administrative review and updated reporting.
  • No published accommodation or special education plan — leads to individualized planning meetings and possible board intervention.

Action steps for parents

  • Speak with the teacher and principal to raise the concern and request written clarification of classroom practice.
  • If unresolved, file the centre or board’s formal complaint or request for review following their published process.
  • Escalate to the Ministère de l'Education for systemic or unresolved compliance issues, providing documentation and dates.
Keep a dated record of meetings and emails to support any formal complaint.

FAQ

Who sets what teachers must teach?
The Government of Québec sets the Québec Education Program and objectives; local centres and boards implement these standards in Montréal schools.
Can the City of Montréal change school curriculum?
No, curriculum is established by the provincial government and the Ministère de l'Education; the city does not set curriculum standards.
How do I make a formal complaint about curriculum delivery?
First contact the school principal, then the local school service centre or board complaint office; if unresolved, you may contact the Ministère de l'Education for further review.

How-To

  1. Document your concern with dates, examples, and any relevant work or reports.
  2. Request a meeting with the teacher and principal, and ask for written clarification of how the program is being implemented.
  3. If unresolved, submit a formal complaint to your school service centre or board following their published procedure.
  4. If still unresolved, prepare a file and contact the Ministère de l'Education for guidance or review.

Key Takeaways

  • Curriculum standards are provincial; Montréal schools implement them locally.
  • Many issues resolve at the school level; escalate to the board and then the ministère only if needed.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] LégisQuébec - Education Act
  2. [2] Ministère de l'Education et de l'Enseignement supérieur
  3. [3] Centre de services scolaire de Montréal (CSSDM)

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