A successful move to high school: the parents' guide

Starting high school is one of the biggest leaps in Québec school life: no more single classroom — hello rotating schedule, moving between classes, and a different teacher for every subject. The good news: this transition can be prepared, and the work starts in Grade 6.

What really changes (and surprises the most)

• Organization becomes personal: agenda, locker, different supplies each day.
• Homework volume increases, with deadlines spread over several weeks.
• Each teacher has their own expectations, rules, and online platforms.
• Social life takes up more space — and can distract from schoolwork.

The 3 skills to build in Grade 6

• Using an agenda: writing down homework, exams, and deadlines themselves, every day.
• Managing multi-step work: starting early, moving forward in small chunks.
• Asking for help: daring to ask a question in class or write to a teacher.

These skills are learned like any other: through practice, with a safety net. Start by supervising closely, then gradually step back — the goal is for your child to manage their agenda independently by spring.

During Secondary 1: the right level of presence

Checking every grade every week sends the message “I don't trust you”; disappearing completely sends “I'm not interested.” The middle ground: a short, regular weekly check-in — “how's it going, what's coming up this week, do you need anything?”

If your child enters high school with gaps in French or math, know that expectations rise quickly in both subjects. Consolidating those foundations before or right at the start of Secondary 1 is one of the best investments you can make.