Enthusiastic young people: participate to the Student for a Day Contest and spend a dream day with students and their teachers!
This program makes it possible for young people to begin professional training towards becoming a circus artist while pursuing secondary academic schooling at the National Circus School. Studies leads to a high school diploma (Diplôme d’études secondaires or DES) accredited by the Quebec Ministry of Education, Leisure and Sport.
Teaching approach
The program emphasizes students’ overall development. It comprises of a general education including all subjects required by the Quebec Ministry of Education’s secondary teaching syllabus, along with solid physical preparation, and technical and artistic training in basic circus arts disciplines, dance and acting.
All courses are held on School premises. 
The student-to-teacher ratio for academic subjects does not exceed 15 pupils per teacher.
Teaching modules are employed for certain subjects. For others a combination of one-on-one and group projects, workshops or laboratories is preferred.
The program includes numerous occasions for students to apply their artistic training by performing before an audience, culminating in the Annual Show in which students participate in all areas of production.
The ideal candidate wishes to forge a career as a circus artist and, towards that end, is fully prepared to pursue artistic and technical training. 
The candidate:
Although French is the language of instruction for both academic subjects and circus art training, the School's French immersion program helps integrate Canadian students who have not previously attended a French-language School. A student who is entitled to instruction in the English-language in Quebec may chose to take English as a first language course.
The following academic subjects are taught as outlined by the secondary teaching schedule of the Quebec Ministry of Education:
Secondary Teaching -Cycle 1
Academic Subjects in 1st and 2rd Year
Circus Arts Disciplines taught during the program:
Secondary Teaching -Cycle 2
Academic Subjects in Year 3
Academic Subjects in Year 4
Academic Subjects in Year 5
Circus Arts Disciplines taught during the program:
A normal week's schedule comprises a minimum of 42 hours of attendance at the School, including 22 hours in the classroom (academic subjects), and 20 hours of training (physical preparation, circus arts and theatre). Academic subjects and the other disciplines are taught alternately in half-day blocks between 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Special events, like the Annual Show, may require student presence on weekends.
The program begins with a mandatory two-week session during the month of August. The school calendar spans a period of 10 months.
*Schedule subject to change
Montreal’s National Circus School embarks on a pre-selection tour in a cross-Canada quest for talented young people between the ages of 9 and 17 every fall. There will be stops in close to 20 cities coast-to-coast.
The pre-selection tour is an opportunity for young people to have their potential evaluated and to meet the School's teachers, while also learning more about the programs and the life of a circus artist.
The preselected candidate will either be invited to the official entrance exam in February or for the selection camp, to complete the admission process.
For the candidates invited to the selection camp. Here are the registration document:
Description of the selection camp
Admission form
General questionnaire
Admission requirements
Registering for Entrance Examination
To take the Entrance Exam, candidates must complete the Entrance Exam Application Form, the General CES Questionnaire, and attach all required documentation. It is important to send only one application per applicant and include all required documents, as well as entrance exam application fees.
Deadline to register for entrance exams of Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver: January 15, 2014.
Completed forms must be received by the School or be postmarked at the latest by the deadline date, postmark providing proof of same.
Deadline to register for entrance exams of Paris and Buenos Aires: December 15 2013.
The candidates must send all their digitized documents by email at registraire@enc.qc.ca before December 15, 2012. (The documents must be filled clearly in capital letters in black ink).
Territorial Exemptions from Physical Presence at Entrance Examinations
A candidate who lives more than 1,000 kilometres from Montreal, Toronto or Vancouver may be exempt from the Entrance Exam, provided that his/her admission request is accompanied by a videocassette with contents that meet application requirements. For further information, candidates should consult the Territorial Exemptions from Physical Presence at Entrance Exams document.
Information on Student Housing
Documents to enclose with entrance application:
For more information on the admissions policy, see this document. (in French only)
N.B. An incomplete request will be returned to the candidate who consequently will not be admitted to the entrance exam.
* Only legible copies of all documents are to be provided with the application. Candidates officially accepted into one of the programs must provide certified copies or originals of each document (originals will be returned to candidates via post).
| Fees (in Canadian dollars)* | |
| Entrance Exam Participation Fee | $50 |
| Admission Fee | $200 |
| Incidental Fee | $165 |
| Tuition (payable in two equal payments) | $3,600 per year |
*Fees are subject to change. Concerning fees for foreign student, please contact info@enc.qc.ca
Send Admission Documents to:
Registraire
National Circus School
8181 2nd Avenue
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
H1Z 4N9
Entrance exams are held in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. The purpose of the test is to evaluate a candidate's potential and talent, and his or her capacity to acquire the skills at the level required by the program within the prescribed time.
| Entrance Examination Dates | |
| Montreal | February 2014 |
| Toronto | February 2014 |
| Vancouver | February 2014 |
| Paris |
January 2014 |
Deadline to register for the entrance exam of Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver: January 15, 2014
Deadline to register for the entrance exam of Paris : December 15, 2013
Only candidates who have registered for the Entrance Exam and have received written confirmation from the School will be allowed to take the exam. Candidates must be available for the entire duration of the audition.
For a full description of the Entrance Examination requirements : Entrance Examination Description Sheet CES
To take the Entrance Exam, candidates must complete the Entrance Exam Application Form, the General CES Questionnaire, and attach all required documentation. It is important to send only one application per applicant and include all required documents, as well as entrance exam application fees. (Consult the ''How to register'' tab)
The candidate who has registered for the Entrance Exam and who received a written invitation from the School, are allowed to take the entrance exam.
Completed forms must be received by the School or be postmarked at the latest by the deadline date, postmark providing proof of same.
Candidates must be available for the entire duration of the examination. Only candidates who have registered for the Entrance Exam and have received written confirmation from the School will be allowed to take the exam.
Territorial Exemptions
A candidate who lives more than 1,000 km from Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Paris and Buenos Aires may be exempt from the Entrance Exam, provided that his/her admission request is accompanied by a DVD with contents that meet application requirements.
Canadian Pre-Selection Tour
In the fall, Montreal’s National Circus School will embark on a pre-selection tour in a cross-Canada quest for talented young people between the ages of 9 and 17. There will be stops in close to 20 cities coast-to-coast.
The pre-selection tour is an opportunity for young people to have their potential evaluated and to meet the School's teachers, while also learning more about the programs and the life of a circus artist. The preselected candidate will either be invited to the official entrance exam in February or for the selection camp, to complete the admission process.
For the candidates invited to the selection camp. Here are the registration document:
Description of the selection camp
Admission form
General questionnaire
The National Circus School Foundation Bursary Program
Vital Financial Aid for Aspiring Circus Artists
Skills, talent, and determination are the only criteria for entrance into the National Circus School. It is the principle of the School and the Foundation that no qualified student who wishes to pursue their studies at the School will be unable to attend or be required to withdraw from a program at the National Circus School for financial reasons.
The NSCF Bursary is a non-repayable grant that is awarded on the basis of financial need and provides vital financial support to students who cannot handle the full cost of tuition and related expenses.
Established in 2006, the Bursary program is made possible through an endowment created through donations from individuals, foundations and corporations. This capital is invested in perpetuity and generates yearly revenue which provides a long-term source of income to disburse bursaries each year.
If you don’t think you have the financial resources to attend the National Circus School, the NSC Foundation Bursary may be a vital source of financial support for you.
Program Highlights
• The Program is open to all full time students, both Canadian and international students.
• Since 2006, over 75 % of students seeking financial aid have qualified and have received a bursary.
• On average each year, 3 out of 10 students enrolled in the college and high-school programs receive a bursary from the Foundation.
• Bursary amounts disbursed since 2006 have ranged from $500 to $4,500 resulting in an average bursary value of nearly $2,000.
Eligibility
• Students must be registered and enrolled in a National Circus School program at the time of application in order to be eligible.
• Applications for students under the age of 18 enrolled in the high school-circus arts studies or preparatory program must be completed by consenting parents.
Note: Students who apply for and receive government loans from their province of origin are still admissible to the Foundation Bursary Program.
How to apply?
To be considered for a bursary, eligible students must complete the application form and include the required documents. Information provided on the applications will be tabulated and undergo a confidential process of evaluation. Recommendations will be reviewed by the Bursary Evaluation Committee, who is appointed each year by the Foundation Board of Directors. nommé par le conseil d’administration de la Fondation.
Application Deadline : October 1st, 2013
The National Circus School is proud to offer now complete housing services. With direct access to the main building, the dormitories will provide a practical and secure housing option. The residences' bedrooms and living spaces are of new construction with a contemporary concept of exceptional quality. The 12 spacious bedrooms can accommodate 2-to-3 students. Each includes a private bathroomwith a shower. Two separate therapeutic bathsmay be accessed upon reservation. The dormitories and integrated services will mean that minor students coming from outside the city may devote themselves more fully to academic studies at the School.
Housing Services at NCS Dormitories
• Basic housing, 5-to-7 nights per week. The 5-nights-per-week format extends from Sunday evening at 7 p.m. ending on Friday at 5:30 p.m.
• Complete and balanced meals plus a snack each day
• Supervised study period and tutoring services upon request
• Library, animation and cultural outings
• Access to shared computers
• Wireless Internet Control service for personal computers
• Roommates selected according to age, sex and compatibility
Fees*
Fees include all housing services, except those for cultural outings, and are not taxable:
Canadian students
| Days per Week | Circus and High School Studies | Higher Education Program |
| 5 days | $6,650.00 | $7,100.00 |
| 7 days | $8,800.00 | $9,525.00 |
Foreign students
| Days per Week | Circus and High School Studies | Higher Education Program |
| 5 days | $8,000.00 | $8,500.00 |
| 7 days | $10,560.00 | $11,475.00 |
* Fees are subject to change.
Schedule
The school year begins on August 5, 2013 and ends on June 23, 2014. During the school holidays that fall in the months of October, December, February and April, the dormitories are normally closed. However, lodging with a host family may be arranged by the School if necessary during these periods.
Aditionnal Information
Revenu Québec offers a tax credit that may be as much as 75% of secondary housing costs to eligible parents who request it. Through a scholarship program, the National Circus School Foundation assists students who lack sufficient financial resources.
To register
Complete part 7 of the Entrance Examination Application Form. It is recommended that requests for dormitory housing bemade at the time of registration for the Entrance Examination. A final agreement with parents will be undertaken with parents following ameeting with the Director of the Studies. Formore information: Annie Gauthier, Coordinator, Studies Organisation and Student services | 514 982-0859 ou 1 800 267-0859 ext 238 | agauthier@enc.qc.ca