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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. Offered in French, 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.

The teaching of school subjects and training sessions in circus arts alternate on a half-day rotation, between 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

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

Session Dates
Mandatory two-week training camp August 8 to 19, 2022
Fall August 26 to December 21, 2022
Winter January 4 to June 11, 2023

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
Ethics and Religious Culture
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
Ethics and Religious Culture
Drama
Physical and health education

5th Year 

French
English
Mathematics; Culture, Society and Technology or Natural Sciences option
Contemporary world
Ethics and Religious Culture
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:

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

 

Required documents

All documents submitted in a language other than English or French must be accompanied by a 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
  • Photocopy of any document attesting to the practice of a relevant artistic discipline or a competitive sport (optional)

Auditions

Registration is closed.

Learn more

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

Participation fees for the entrance exam $50
Registration fees $200
Yearly related fees* $235
Annual tuition fees* for Canadian students, permanent residents and French citizens $4,675
Annual tuition fees* for international students (except French citizens) $8,875
Insurance fees for international students (except French citizens) $960

* 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.

The teaching of school subjects and training sessions in circus arts alternate on a half-day rotation, between 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

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

Session Dates
Mandatory two-week training camp August 8 to 19, 2022
Fall August 26 to December 21, 2022
Winter January 4 to June 11, 2023

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
Ethics and Religious Culture
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
Ethics and Religious Culture
Drama
Physical and health education

5th Year 

French
English
Mathematics; Culture, Society and Technology or Natural Sciences option
Contemporary world
Ethics and Religious Culture
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:

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

 

Required documents

All documents submitted in a language other than English or French must be accompanied by a 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
  • Photocopy of any document attesting to the practice of a relevant artistic discipline or a competitive sport (optional)

Auditions

Registration is closed.

Learn more

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

Tuition fees

Participation fees for the entrance exam $50
Registration fees $200
Yearly related fees* $235
Annual tuition fees* for Canadian students, permanent residents and French citizens $4,675
Annual tuition fees* for international students (except French citizens) $8,875
Insurance fees for international students (except French citizens) $960

* 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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