Fully funded by the Alberta Government, francophone schools offer academic programs from kindergarten to grade 12 in accordance with the curriculum set out by Alberta Education. Instruction is offered entirely in French, except for English Language Arts starting in grade 3.

Francophone schools are for students whose parents’ (one or both) first language is French and who want their child to learn French as a first language in a climate favourable to the development of the child’s full capacity intellectually, physically, personally, spiritually and socially. Studies show a francophone education is the most effective way for a francophone child living in a minority setting to become bilingual.

Francophone schools in Alberta are administered by five francophone school boards, also known in other jurisdictions under the names of commission, authority, division or school district.