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Our Circus and High School program (CES) allows young people to undertake training in circus arts while pursuing their full-time high school studies at the NCS. The program leads to a high school diploma (HSD) and includes two training components.

General training : learning the academic subjects of Quebec’s high school education system.

Circus arts training : learning the techniques of circus arts, dance and theatrical acting, with performances in front of an audience.

The teaching of the various circus techniques and disciplines is modular. The training is individualized, and the objectives are adapted to each student. As for the academic subjects, they are taught within classes where students participate in collective projects, workshops and laboratories.

Individuals who wish to join our CES program can do so at any time during their high school years. Group sizes are limited to a maximum of 15 students for classes devoted to academic subjects.

Program structure
Admission
Tuition fees
Student services and Financial aid

School calendar

The schedule provides approximately 43 hours of classes per week, including 25 hours devoted to general education and 18 hours to circus arts.

Some weekend activities, such as performances, may require the presence of students.

2024-2025 school year

Session Dates
Welcome Session August 19 to 16, 2024
Fall August 23 to December 20, 2024
Winter January 6 to June 20, 2025

The school calendar is subject to change.

School subjects

Lower Secondary Education

General Education

1st and 2nd Year

French
English
Mathematics
Science and Technology
Geography
History and Citizenship
Quebec Culture and Citizenship
Drama
Physical and Health Education

Upper Secondary Education

General Education

3rd Year

French
English
Mathematics
Science and Technology
History and Citizenship
Drama
Physical and Health Education
Personal Orientation Project

4th Year

French
English
Mathematics; Culture, Society and Technology or Natural Sciences option
Science and Technology and/or Science and Environment
History and Citizenship Education
Quebec Culture and Citizenship
Drama
Physical and health education

5th Year 

French
English
Mathematics; Culture, Society and Technology or Natural Sciences option
Contemporary world
Quebec Culture and Citizenship
Drama
Visual arts
Physical and Health Education
Financial Education
Optional subjects: Film, Economics, Chemistry or Physics

The NCS also offers enriched subjects in mathematics and physical sciences in Year 4 or 5, as well as optional classes for admission to college programs.

 

Circus Arts Training

All levels

Acting
Dance
Physical Preparation
Manipulations
Balancing
Acrobatics
Aerial disciplines

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for the program, the individual must:

  • Have completed elementary school and passed the level prior to the one for which they are applying to
  • Have a good knowledge of the French language
  • Have a good academic record
  • Have experience in circus arts, sports, gymnastics, dance, theater or any other relevant discipline
  • Pass the Auditions
  • Receive confirmation of acceptance into the program, following evaluation of the application file

 

Required documents

All documents submitted in a language other than English or French must be accompanied by a certified translation.

Status Required documents
Canadian student or permanent resident
  • Proof of provincial health insurance
  • ID photo on white background in JPEG format (portrait)
  • Photocopy of birth certificate with parents’ full names
  • Photocopy of the two last report cards successfully completed
  • Photocopy of any document attesting to the practice of a relevant artistic discipline or a competitive sport (optional)
  • Photocopy of both sides of the citizenship certificate for naturalized Canadians or of the permanent resident card
International student
  • ID photo on white background in JPEG format (portrait)
  • Photocopy of birth certificate with parents’ full names
  • Photocopy of the two last report cards successfully completed
  • Passport valid for the duration of the study program
  • Photocopy of any document attesting to the practice of a relevant artistic discipline or a competitive sport (optional)

Study permits for international students

International students who have received proof of acceptance to one of our Circus Arts Programs, for a duration of more than 6 months, will need to apply for a Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) as well as a study permit. Since these procedures involve several steps and can take up to six months to be completed, we recommend that you start them early.   

The following websites will be of great help to students in this process:  

Auditions

Registration for our auditions is now open!

Learn more

A $50 non-refundable fee is payable at the time of application for admission.

2025-2026 school year

File opening fees $50
Annual registration fees $200
Annual related fees* $245
Annual tuition fees for Canadian students and permanent resident students who are Quebec residents* $5,000
Annual tuition fees for French citizens* $5,300
Annual tuition fees for Canadian students and permanent resident students who are not Quebec residents * $8,595
Annual tuition fees for international students (except French citizens)* $9,995
Annual insurance fees for international students (except French citizens) $755

* Payable in two instalments.
Fees are in Canadian dollars and are subject to change.

Student services

The training gives access to health and lodging services, to our specialized Library as well as to various cultural activities.

To learn more about our services, visit the Student Services page.

 

Financial aid

Learn more about the National Circus School’s scholarship program, through which we support the next generation of circus artists.

Program structure

School calendar

The schedule provides approximately 43 hours of classes per week, including 25 hours devoted to general education and 18 hours to circus arts.

Some weekend activities, such as performances, may require the presence of students.

2024-2025 school year

Session Dates
Welcome Session August 19 to 16, 2024
Fall August 23 to December 20, 2024
Winter January 6 to June 20, 2025

The school calendar is subject to change.

School subjects

Lower Secondary Education

General Education

1st and 2nd Year

French
English
Mathematics
Science and Technology
Geography
History and Citizenship
Quebec Culture and Citizenship
Drama
Physical and Health Education

Upper Secondary Education

General Education

3rd Year

French
English
Mathematics
Science and Technology
History and Citizenship
Drama
Physical and Health Education
Personal Orientation Project

4th Year

French
English
Mathematics; Culture, Society and Technology or Natural Sciences option
Science and Technology and/or Science and Environment
History and Citizenship Education
Quebec Culture and Citizenship
Drama
Physical and health education

5th Year 

French
English
Mathematics; Culture, Society and Technology or Natural Sciences option
Contemporary world
Quebec Culture and Citizenship
Drama
Visual arts
Physical and Health Education
Financial Education
Optional subjects: Film, Economics, Chemistry or Physics

The NCS also offers enriched subjects in mathematics and physical sciences in Year 4 or 5, as well as optional classes for admission to college programs.

 

Circus Arts Training

All levels

Acting
Dance
Physical Preparation
Manipulations
Balancing
Acrobatics
Aerial disciplines

Admission

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for the program, the individual must:

  • Have completed elementary school and passed the level prior to the one for which they are applying to
  • Have a good knowledge of the French language
  • Have a good academic record
  • Have experience in circus arts, sports, gymnastics, dance, theater or any other relevant discipline
  • Pass the Auditions
  • Receive confirmation of acceptance into the program, following evaluation of the application file

 

Required documents

All documents submitted in a language other than English or French must be accompanied by a certified translation.

Status Required documents
Canadian student or permanent resident
  • Proof of provincial health insurance
  • ID photo on white background in JPEG format (portrait)
  • Photocopy of birth certificate with parents’ full names
  • Photocopy of the two last report cards successfully completed
  • Photocopy of any document attesting to the practice of a relevant artistic discipline or a competitive sport (optional)
  • Photocopy of both sides of the citizenship certificate for naturalized Canadians or of the permanent resident card
International student
  • ID photo on white background in JPEG format (portrait)
  • Photocopy of birth certificate with parents’ full names
  • Photocopy of the two last report cards successfully completed
  • Passport valid for the duration of the study program
  • Photocopy of any document attesting to the practice of a relevant artistic discipline or a competitive sport (optional)

Study permits for international students

International students who have received proof of acceptance to one of our Circus Arts Programs, for a duration of more than 6 months, will need to apply for a Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) as well as a study permit. Since these procedures involve several steps and can take up to six months to be completed, we recommend that you start them early.   

The following websites will be of great help to students in this process:  

Auditions

Registration for our auditions is now open!

Learn more

A $50 non-refundable fee is payable at the time of application for admission.

Tuition fees

2025-2026 school year

File opening fees $50
Annual registration fees $200
Annual related fees* $245
Annual tuition fees for Canadian students and permanent resident students who are Quebec residents* $5,000
Annual tuition fees for French citizens* $5,300
Annual tuition fees for Canadian students and permanent resident students who are not Quebec residents * $8,595
Annual tuition fees for international students (except French citizens)* $9,995
Annual insurance fees for international students (except French citizens) $755

* Payable in two instalments.
Fees are in Canadian dollars and are subject to change.

Student services and Financial aid

Student services

The training gives access to health and lodging services, to our specialized Library as well as to various cultural activities.

To learn more about our services, visit the Student Services page.

 

Financial aid

Learn more about the National Circus School’s scholarship program, through which we support the next generation of circus artists.

Find out more about the unique experience, learning environment and training that the National Circus School has been renowned for over 40 years.

 

Questions?

Please consult our FAQ or contact us by email at [email protected].

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