---
title: "Quebec Curriculum Guide: Preschool to Secondary V | Noble Educators"
description: "Quebec curriculum guide for Secondary I-V, ministerial examinations, DES requirements and the transition toward CEGEP."
image: "https://nobleeducators.com/og-image.jpg"
url: "https://nobleeducators.com/canada/quebec/"
---

![Government of Quebec official mark](https://nobleeducators.com/canada/logos/quebec.webp) 

Province curriculum guide

# Quebec Curriculum Guide: Preschool to Secondary V

Quebec is distinct because families move from preschool and primary cycles into Secondary I-V, then usually plan the bridge from Secondary V to CEGEP rather than Grade 12.

[Ask on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/+916201498570?text=Hi%21+I%27m+looking+for+tutoring+that+follows+the+Quebec+curriculum.+Can+you+help%3F) [Official source](https://www.education.gouv.qc.ca/en/references/programs-of-study/)

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Grades

Secondary I-V

Assessments

Ministerial exams

Credential

DES

Senior naming

Numeric course codes

Status

Current · 2026-27

How school is organised

## What families should know before matching a tutor.

Quebec's school structure is not a province-name variation of the Grade 1 to Grade 12 pattern. Families see preschool, primary cycles and Secondary I through Secondary V, followed by CEGEP for many students.

That structure changes tutoring language. A request for help in Secondary III should not be rewritten as a generic Grade 9 page heading, because parents and schools use Secondary terminology every day.

The Ministere de l'Education publishes programs of study and evaluation information. Parents should keep the achievement record, school report card and course names together because credits and compulsory subjects matter for the diploma.

[Elementary Cycle 1, Year 1Grade 1 equivalent](https://nobleeducators.com/canada/grade-1/) [Elementary Cycle 1, Year 2Grade 2 equivalent](https://nobleeducators.com/canada/grade-2/) [Elementary Cycle 2, Year 1Grade 3 equivalent](https://nobleeducators.com/canada/grade-3/) [Elementary Cycle 2, Year 2Grade 4 equivalent](https://nobleeducators.com/canada/grade-4/) [Elementary Cycle 3, Year 1Grade 5 equivalent](https://nobleeducators.com/canada/grade-5/) [Elementary Cycle 3, Year 2Grade 6 equivalent](https://nobleeducators.com/canada/grade-6/) [Secondary IGrade 7 equivalent](https://nobleeducators.com/canada/grade-7/) [Secondary IIGrade 8 equivalent](https://nobleeducators.com/canada/grade-8/) [Secondary IIIGrade 9 equivalent](https://nobleeducators.com/canada/grade-9/) [Secondary IVMinisterial-exam year](https://nobleeducators.com/canada/grade-10/) [Secondary VDES completion year](https://nobleeducators.com/canada/grade-11/) [CEGEP bridgePost-secondary transition](https://nobleeducators.com/canada/grade-12/)

Subject names parents search

## Same broad subjects, local curriculum language.

Also searched as: Quebec ELA

### English Language Arts

In English-language schooling, English Language Arts covers reading, writing, spoken interaction, media and literary response. The Quebec context matters because language of instruction and second-language requirements affect the path to the DES.

[English by grade](https://nobleeducators.com/canada/grade-7/english/)

Also searched as: Secondary IV Mathematics

### Mathematics

Quebec Mathematics becomes especially important in Secondary IV because it is one of the compulsory areas tied to diploma requirements. Families often ask which mathematics path supports a later CEGEP program.

[Math by grade](https://nobleeducators.com/canada/grade-7/math/)

Also searched as: Secondary IV Science

### Science and Technology

Science and Technology or Applied Science and Technology appears in the verified DES requirements at Secondary IV. Support should therefore connect lab reasoning, content knowledge and ministerial-exam preparation.

[Science by grade](https://nobleeducators.com/canada/grade-7/science/)

Also searched as: Quebec digital competency

### Digital Competency

Quebec does not present computing as one simple K-12 subject label for every student. Digital skills are better described through digital competency, local options and technology-rich learning tasks.

[Computer by grade](https://nobleeducators.com/canada/grade-7/computer/)

Assessments

## Quebec assessment context

Quebec uses ministerial examinations at the elementary and secondary levels. Public information lists elementary English Language Arts and Mathematics exams and secondary exams including English Language Arts Secondary V, Mathematics Secondary IV, Science and Technology Secondary IV, and History of Quebec and Canada Secondary IV.

Ministerial examinations are administered in scheduled sessions, including January, June and August sessions. Preparation should therefore be attached to the current session and the exact subject, not to a generic exam-prep label.

A student in Secondary IV can face several consequential subjects at once. The best support plan separates language, mathematics, science and history demands so that weak exam technique is not confused with weak content.

Graduation

## Secondary IV, Secondary V and CEGEP planning

Quebec's senior secondary planning is about meeting DES requirements and choosing courses that keep CEGEP options open. A student may pass the diploma requirements but still need a particular mathematics, science or language profile for the next program.

Course records use numeric codes and credits. Parents should bring the achievement record or course list to a tutoring enquiry because it shows the official title, credits and diploma progress.

The verified Quebec credential is the Secondary School Diploma, commonly referred to as the DES in French. Quebec public information states that the diploma requires at least 54 credits in Secondary IV and V, including at least 20 credits in Secondary V or vocational training.

Required areas include Secondary V language of instruction, Secondary IV Mathematics, Secondary V second language, Secondary IV Science and Technology or Applied Science and Technology, Secondary IV History of Quebec and Canada, arts education and another required Secondary V area.

### Tutor matching in progress.

We are building the Canadian curriculum tutor roster for this section. Tell us the province, grade and subject and we will match a tutor directly rather than asking you to pick from a list that is not ready yet.

[Ask who's available](https://wa.me/+916201498570?text=Hi%21+I%27d+like+to+know+which+tutors+are+available+for+the+Canadian+curriculum+for+my+child%27s+province+and+grade.)

### CAD pricing for Quebec.

Rates are the same nationwide, by course rather than by province, and shown in Canadian dollars on the main Canada page.

[See the rate chart](https://nobleeducators.com/canada/#rates)

Parent guidance

## What to share before the first session.

Quebec parents often ask what a Secondary level means relative to another province. The answer should be given carefully: Secondary I aligns broadly with Grade 7 age, but the curriculum, credits and transition to CEGEP are Quebec-specific.

The Secondary III to Secondary IV transition is a pressure point because several diploma-relevant courses and ministerial exams come into view. Students may need help organising notes, practising written explanations and reading exam instructions in the language of instruction.

Families should treat CEGEP planning as a curriculum issue, not only an admissions issue. The courses chosen in Secondary IV and V can affect what doors remain open after the DES.

Questions

## Quebec curriculum FAQ

What is Secondary III equivalent to?

Secondary III is broadly the age-equivalent of Grade 9, but Quebec pages should use Secondary terminology because that is the official local structure.

What is the DES?

The DES is the Quebec Secondary School Diploma awarded after the required credits and compulsory subjects are completed.

Does Quebec have Grade 12?

Quebec secondary school normally ends at Secondary V, after which many students move to CEGEP.

Which ministerial exams matter most?

Secondary IV and V ministerial exams in language, mathematics, science and history areas can be especially important for diploma progress.

Is CEGEP part of high school?

No. CEGEP follows secondary school and is a separate post-secondary transition unique to Quebec's education pathway.

Related Canada hubs

[Ontario](https://nobleeducators.com/canada/ontario/) [New Brunswick](https://nobleeducators.com/canada/new-brunswick/) [Nova Scotia](https://nobleeducators.com/canada/nova-scotia/) [All Canada curriculum hubs](https://nobleeducators.com/canada/)

KEEP EXPLORING

## More ways to learn in Canada.

Noble Educators is an independent tutoring service. Provincial and territorial names, flags and curriculum marks belong to their respective governments. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any ministry or department of education.

## Contact Noble Educators

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