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For Halifax parent Jonathan Langdon, history is repeating itself.
Three years ago, his daughter was in ninth grade at École Mer et Monde, a French school in Halifax's south end. To continue studying French in high school, she had to take a long school bus ride across Halifax Harbor every day to Mosaic High School in Burnside, North Carolina
Ultimately, the decision was made to take a French course at Citadel High in Halifax, which meant that part of the education would be taught in French, but not all.
Today, Langdon's son is in 9th grade and faces the same question.
“The idea of crossing a bridge and being stuck in that kind of traffic jam on a school bus both to and from Mosaic is an important aspect to consider,” Langdon said.
Last week, the head of Nova Scotia's French-language school board Michel Collette said geography was preventing some students from pursuing a French education.. In some cases, he said, students must travel hundreds of kilometers back and forth every day to attend the nearest French school.
But it is also true that time-consuming commutes that don't cover many kilometers in the Halifax area prevent some students from pursuing a French secondary education. That's because there is no French high school on the Halifax Peninsula and no concrete plans to create one.
French high schools in the Halifax area
Currently the closest French high schools to Halifax are: Mosaic and Sommet High School on Larry Utek Drive in Bedford, North Carolina with 362 high school students in Mosaic and 310 a. Sommet, according to the latest Department of Education enrollment data.
A French school is being built on the corner of Oxford Street and Byers Road in Halifax, but it will be for Year 9 only. It is expected to open in 2026 and replace École Mer et Monde.
Christa Higdon, a spokeswoman for the Department of Education, said no decision had been made on the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial high school on the Peninsula, but she said the renovation of Mer et Monde”implementing the high school program is on CSAP's list of priorities.”
Angela Day lives in Herring Cove, North Carolina and has two children in 2nd and 4th grade at Mer et Monde. She said her husband is French and it is important that their children receive an education in French, especially to speak with some family members.
Day said although her children won't be attending high school for a few years, she's already thinking about the decision they'll make.
She said she was going to Mosaic will take 35 minutes off-peak, but a morning and afternoon school bus ride can take 90 minutes each way.
“The sticking point for me is that I want them to have the opportunity to continue through the French system,” she said. “And I don’t think that’s the best option when the school is so far away.”
Day said renovating the Mer et Monde site for use as a high school would be a good option because it is on public transport routes and close to universities.
With population growth and CSAP enrollment increasing, Day said there should be a French high school on the Halifax Peninsula.
“I think we need to prioritize this space and infrastructure to create livable communities for everyone, including the school system,” Day said.
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