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.
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 2023 |
| Fall | August 25 to December 22, 2023 |
| Winter | January 8 to June 21, 2024 |
The school calendar is subject to change.
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
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
To be eligible for the program, the individual must:
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 |
|
| International student |
|
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:
Registration will open in October.
A $50 non-refundable fee is payable at the time of application for admission.
| File opening fees | $50 |
| Annual registration fees | $200 |
| Annual 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 |
| Annual insurance fees for international students (except French citizens) | $960 |
* Payable in two instalments.
Fees are in Canadian dollars and are subject to change.
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.
Learn more about the National Circus School’s scholarship program, through which we support the next generation of circus artists.
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 2023 |
| Fall | August 25 to December 22, 2023 |
| Winter | January 8 to June 21, 2024 |
The school calendar is subject to change.
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
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
To be eligible for the program, the individual must:
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 |
|
| International student |
|
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:
Registration will open in October.
A $50 non-refundable fee is payable at the time of application for admission.
| File opening fees | $50 |
| Annual registration fees | $200 |
| Annual 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 |
| Annual insurance fees for international students (except French citizens) | $960 |
* Payable in two instalments.
Fees are in Canadian dollars and are subject to change.
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.
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.
Please consult our FAQ or contact us by email at [email protected].
