Daily Living
Registering Your Kids for School in PEI
Newcomer families register through a different door than everyone else. Here is how PEI's English and French school systems work, and where the EAL/FAL Reception Centre fits in.
1. Two School Systems, One Starting Point for Most Families
PEI runs English-language public education through the Public Schools Branch (PSB) and French-language education through la Commission scolaire de langue française (CSLF). Families choose between English, French immersion (through PSB), or French-first-language education (through CSLF).
2. Newcomer Families Start at a Different Door
If your child was born outside Canada, or speaks a language other than English or French at home, register first with the Department of Education's EAL/FAL Reception Centre, before contacting a school directly. The Reception Centre handles intake and assessment: confirming your child's right to free education based on immigration status, gathering prior school records, and testing English or French proficiency to determine EAL or FAL support needs.
3. What to Bring
- Government-issued identification for the child and parent or guardian
- Proof of address
- Immigration documents, for newcomer families
- Prior school records, if available
4. Registration Steps
| Step | Who Handles It |
|---|---|
| 1. Newcomer intake (EAL/FAL families only) | Department of Education EAL/FAL Reception Centre |
| 2. Confirm your school zone | PSB or CSLF bus/zone planning tool |
| 3. Register directly with your zoned school | School office |
| 4. Attend a Welcome to Kindergarten session, if applicable | Organized by the school each spring |
Contact PSB at 1-800-280-7965 for English-language registration questions, or contact CSLF directly for French-language registration.