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The Preparatory Program for Higher Education welcomes young people aged 9 to 20 who wish to develop their artistic potential and physical abilities. While it does not guarantee admission to our Circus and High School Studies program or college-level programs in the circus arts, it provides a rigorous, structured preparation for those who wish to pursue that path.

Offered in French, this extracurricular program focuses on building a strong foundation in acrobatics, flexibility, physical conditioning, and balance. These core skills empower students to strengthen their potential and gradually explore a wide range of circus disciplines.

Applications are accepted year-round, although program entry typically takes place in September. An initial meeting followed by a technical evaluation allows the team to get to know each candidate and guide them toward the path that best suits their abilities and stage of development.

The Preparatory Program aims to help students:

  • Acquire introductory training in fundamental techniques and circus disciplines
  • Develop their artistic expression
  • Learn through a rigorous and creative process
  • Build autonomy, self-confidence, creativity, and a passion for learning
  • Strengthen their ability to work as part of a team
  • Learn to train under the guidance of multiple instructors
Un groupe d'artistes du programme préparatoire des arts du cirque monte sur scène - certains en costumes gris, l'un d'entre eux faisant un flip à mi-hauteur sur un tapis rouge. D'autres observent, tenant des tissus rouges parmi des accessoires tels que des pneus et des couvercles de poubelle argentés.
School calendar
Admission
Tuition fees
Student services and Financial aid

The Preparatory Program provides 11 hours of training per week for the PFS1 group and 13 hours for the PFS2 group, every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

SCHOOL YEAR 2025–2026

The Fall 2025 session will run from September 3 to December 13 (break from October 13 to 27). The Winter 2026 session will take place from January 7 to June 13 (break from March 2 to 7).

Activity Schedule
Monday Wednesday Friday Saturday
PFS1 Group 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
PFS2 Group 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.

SCHOOL YEAR 2026–2027

The Fall 2026 session will run from September 2 to December 12 (break from October 12 to 24). The Winter 2027 session will take place from January 6 to June 12 (break from March 1 to 6).

Activity Schedule (to be confirmed)
Monday Wednesday Friday Saturday
PFS1 Group 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
PFS2 Group 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Students from all primary and secondary schools are eligible for the Preparatory Program for Higher Education.

We work in partnership with three schools in the Montreal area that offer sports-study, arts-study and student-athlete programs:

These school programs’ schedules provides for students’ travel time to our establishment. Travel can be done by public transport or by a chartered transportation system, organized by the partner school.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for the program, the individual must:

  • be between the ages of 9 and 20
  • successfully complete the auditions process assessments
  • have already practiced an artistic, acrobatic or sporting discipline

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

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)
  • Copy of birth certificate with parents’ full names

2025-2026 school year

PFS1 Group
Participation fees for the entrance evaluation $50
Annual registration fees $200
Annual related costs* $245
Annual tuition fees* $2,335

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

PFS2 Group
Participation fees for the entrance evaluation $30
Annual registration fees $200
Annual related costs* $240
Annual tuition fees* $2,560

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


2026-2027 school year

PFS1 Group
Participation fees for the entrance evaluation $50
Annual registration fees $200
Annual related costs* $245
Annual tuition fees* $2,475

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

PFS2 Group
Participation fees for the entrance evaluation $30
Annual registration fees $200
Annual related costs* $240
Annual tuition fees* $2,715

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

Student services

This training provides access to health services, our cafeteria, our specialized Library well as to a wide variety of cultural activities.

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

Financial aid

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

School calendar

The Preparatory Program provides 11 hours of training per week for the PFS1 group and 13 hours for the PFS2 group, every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

SCHOOL YEAR 2025–2026

The Fall 2025 session will run from September 3 to December 13 (break from October 13 to 27). The Winter 2026 session will take place from January 7 to June 13 (break from March 2 to 7).

Activity Schedule
Monday Wednesday Friday Saturday
PFS1 Group 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
PFS2 Group 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.

SCHOOL YEAR 2026–2027

The Fall 2026 session will run from September 2 to December 12 (break from October 12 to 24). The Winter 2027 session will take place from January 6 to June 12 (break from March 1 to 6).

Activity Schedule (to be confirmed)
Monday Wednesday Friday Saturday
PFS1 Group 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
PFS2 Group 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Students from all primary and secondary schools are eligible for the Preparatory Program for Higher Education.

We work in partnership with three schools in the Montreal area that offer sports-study, arts-study and student-athlete programs:

These school programs’ schedules provides for students’ travel time to our establishment. Travel can be done by public transport or by a chartered transportation system, organized by the partner school.

Admission

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for the program, the individual must:

  • be between the ages of 9 and 20
  • successfully complete the auditions process assessments
  • have already practiced an artistic, acrobatic or sporting discipline

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

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)
  • Copy of birth certificate with parents’ full names

Tuition fees

2025-2026 school year

PFS1 Group
Participation fees for the entrance evaluation $50
Annual registration fees $200
Annual related costs* $245
Annual tuition fees* $2,335

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

PFS2 Group
Participation fees for the entrance evaluation $30
Annual registration fees $200
Annual related costs* $240
Annual tuition fees* $2,560

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


2026-2027 school year

PFS1 Group
Participation fees for the entrance evaluation $50
Annual registration fees $200
Annual related costs* $245
Annual tuition fees* $2,475

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

PFS2 Group
Participation fees for the entrance evaluation $30
Annual registration fees $200
Annual related costs* $240
Annual tuition fees* $2,715

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

Student services and Financial aid

Student services

This training provides access to health services, our cafeteria, our specialized Library well as to a wide variety of cultural activities.

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

Financial aid

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

Questions?

You can consult our FAQ or contact us by email at registrariat@enc.qc.ca.

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