Homeschooling in Quebec: Is It Legal?

When we tell people that we’re homeschooling most of them are quite interested and even complimentary. But because most people aren’t too well informed about homeschooling we’re often asked, “Is it legal?” The Bitter Homeschooler’s Wish List has a fun answer to that question, if you like sarcasm & you’re feeling kinda tired of having people question your status as a law-abiding citizen.

If you’re new to homeschooling in Quebec and you want to be sure you will be fulfilling your legal obligations, this really is a valid question. In the broadest of strokes and to the best of my knowledge, homeschooling is at this moment legal in every Canadian province and territory. It is also legal in all 50 US states.

The Quebec Education Act says that a child aged 6-16 must attend public school or be covered by a legal exemption, such as attending an accredited private school. There is an exemption for home-based education:

15.  The following students are exempt from compulsory school attendance:…..

…. 4) a student who receives home schooling and benefits from an educational experience which, according to an evaluation made by or for the school board, are equivalent to what is provided at school.

~ R.S.Q., chapter I-13.3: Education Act

OK, so what constitutes an "equivalent" educational experience? What do I need to teach my kids in order to meet my obligations under the Education Act? The 2010 document, Home Schooling - Policy Framework, has this to say:

“Equivalent” may be interpreted to mean that the instruction and educational experience must give the child sufficient knowledge and competencies so that the child may enter or reenter the public or private school system. To this end, parents must ensure that their child achieves the learning objectives set out in the programs in effect in Québec schools, or develops the competencies specified by the Québec Education Program (QEP).

Links to both the Education Act and the policy framework can be found in the sidebar under "Quebec Government Links." There are three distinct sets of documents that make up the QEP; select the appropriate level of education for your child to learn more about the learning objectives and competencies your child must be developing in order to ensure an equivalent to school experience.