For many home-buyers in Edmonton, the choice of neighborhood is about more than price and square footage - schools and community lifestyle matter. For families seeking bilingual education or looking to preserve French language and culture, access to French immersion and francophone schooling is often a top priority.
This blog explores where French immersion schools in Edmonton are located, how accessible they are, recent and planned developments, and which neighborhoods are particularly well positioned for families who value French education.
Why French Immersion Schools Impact Real Estate Decisions in Edmonton
French immersion programs allow students to follow the Alberta curriculum while developing bilingual proficiency in both French and English, an advantage valued by many local families. No previous French is required to enter immersion at Kindergarten or Grade 1, and late immersion programs begin in Grade 7 as well.
From a real estate point of view, neighborhoods near well-established immersion schools often:
Attract families who plan to stay long term
See consistent buyer demand
Remain competitive on resale markets
Because French immersion combines strong academics with cultural benefits, it’s become an influential factor in neighbourhood desirability.
French Immersion vs Francophone Schools: What’s the Difference?
French Immersion Schools
French immersion is designed for all students, even if they don’t speak French at home, and emphasizes French as the language of instruction for many subjects in early grades, gradually including more English over time.
Programs are offered through both:
Edmonton Public Schools (EPSB)
Edmonton Catholic Schools (ECSD)
Edmonton Catholic Schools’ immersion offerings run from Kindergarten through Grade 12, supporting families who want a continuous immersion experience.
Francophone (French-First Language) Schools
Francophone schools serve students whose first language is French and are guaranteed under Section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. These schools deliver all or nearly all instruction in French as a first language, offering a different experience than immersion.
The Conseil scolaire Centre-Nord (CSCN) is one of Alberta’s French language school boards, operating francophone schools that act as community and cultural centers for francophone families.
Where French Immersion and Francophone Education Is Located in Edmonton
Rather than being concentrated in one area, French immersion and francophone education in Edmonton is distributed across many neighborhoods, often in established communities with strong transit access and family-oriented amenities.
From a real estate perspective, this means buyers can prioritize location, lifestyle, and commute, while still maintaining access to French education.
French Immersion Neighborhoods in Edmonton
French immersion programs offered through Edmonton Public Schools and Edmonton Catholic Schools are spread across all quadrants of the city. These programs typically serve broader catchment areas, meaning families often choose neighborhoods based on proximity and transportation.
South & Southwest Edmonton
French immersion options are well represented in the south and southwest, particularly in mature, family-oriented neighborhoods near major roadways and transit corridors.
French immersion neighborhoods in this area include:
Riverbend / Brander Gardens
Greenfield
Lendrum Place
McKernan
Queen Alexandra
Laurier Heights
Rio Terrace
Allendale / Parkallen
Royal Gardens
These areas are popular with buyers seeking long-term family housing, access to parks and ravines, and strong secondary school pathways.
Southeast Edmonton
Southeast Edmonton offers immersion access in neighbourhoods that combine affordability, established communities, and proximity to Mill Woods and central Edmonton.
French immersion neighbourhoods in this area include:
Holyrood
Kenilworth
Avalon
Crawford Plains
Mill Woods (multiple communities)
These neighbourhoods are often attractive to first-time buyers and growing families looking for immersion options without moving to the city’s core.
North & Northwest Edmonton
North Edmonton immersion programs typically serve wider geographic areas, making transportation access an important factor for buyers.
French immersion neighbourhoods in this area include:
Delwood
Dunluce
Dickinsfield
Castle Downs
Wîhkwêntôwin (formerly Oliver area)
Westmount / Inglewood
These areas tend to appeal to families seeking more space, relative affordability, or proximity to major routes like Yellowhead Trail and Anthony Henday Drive.
Francophone Education Neighbourhoods
Francophone schools, operated by the Conseil scolaire Centre-Nord (CSCN), provide full French-first language education and are often deeply connected to community and cultural life.
For francophone families, neighbourhood selection is frequently shaped by proximity to these schools, as they offer continuity in language and culture from early learning through high school.
Central & South-Central Edmonton
Several francophone schools are located in or near central Edmonton, making these neighbourhoods key hubs for francophone families.
Francophone education neighbourhoods include:
Strathearn
Hazeldean
Queen Mary Park
Bonnie Doon
South-Central Edmonton communities
These neighbourhoods often attract buyers who prioritize walkability, established community networks, and access to francophone cultural institutions.
North Edmonton
North Edmonton also includes multiple francophone elementary and junior high options, supporting families who prefer to live outside the city core.
Francophone education neighbourhoods include:
North Central Edmonton communities
North Edmonton residential areas with Catholic francophone pathways
These neighbourhoods are often chosen by families balancing affordability with access to French-first education.
What This Means for Home-buyers
When looking at French immersion or francophone education in Edmonton, buyers should keep in mind:
French immersion programs typically serve broader catchment areas, making transit access important
Francophone schools often function as community anchors, influencing where families settle long-term
Neighbourhoods near French education programs often maintain consistent family-driven housing demand
For real estate buyers, particularly newcomers, bilingual households, and francophone families, understanding where French education exists by neighbourhood provides far more practical value than focusing on individual school names.
New and Planned French Education Developments
Edmonton’s francophone education system is adapting to population growth and community needs. For example:
New school construction at École publique Gabrielle-Roy will replace the existing elementary school and add a new facility for École publique Michaëlle-Jean, expanding capacity for francophone learners.
Funding has been allocated to plan a new francophone Grade 7–12 school in west Edmonton
Plans are underway for a brand-new francophone elementary school in southwest Edmonton
Large scale francophone builds tend to draw families into neighbourhoods that previously lacked convenient access, influencing long-term housing demand.
Accessibility & Transit for French Immersion Families
Because French immersion schools serve students citywide, transportation matters:
In elementary grades (K–6), some Edmonton Public Schools offer yellow bus routes depending on distance to school.
For junior high and high school students, Edmonton Transit Service is often used for commuting to immersion programs not in a family’s immediate neighbourhood.
Edmonton Catholic Schools also provide shuttle and transportation support based on eligibility.
This makes transit-connected neighbourhoods attractive to families enrolled in French immersion.
Final Thoughts: Education and Real Estate in Edmonton
French immersion and francophone schools in Edmonton play a significant role in where families choose to live. Whether you’re considering resale value, long-term community ties, or cultural continuity, a neighborhood’s access to French education is a meaningful factor that buyers increasingly care about.
Understanding where French immersion and francophone schools are located, and where expansions are happening, helps align education goals with smart housing decisions.
Want Help Choosing the Right Neighborhood?
I’m Ludovic Aubertin, a French-speaking Realtor®. I help families, newcomers and first-time home buyers find the right neighbourhood in Edmonton, especially when French immersion or francophone schools are part of the decision.
If you want help narrowing down areas, understanding school access, or planning a move that works long-term, I’m happy to help, in English ou en français.
Ludovic Aubertin
RE/MAX Real Estate | Iconic YEG
📞 587-982-8304
📧 ludovic@iconicyeg.com
🌐 https://ludovic.iconicyeg.com