Core French is mandatory from Grades 4 to 8 for all students in English-language elementary schools. Policy and program requirements for elementary school Core French programs dictate that students entering Grade 4 must receive French instruction in every year from Grade 4 to Grade 8, and must have accumulated a minimum of 600 hours of French instruction by the end of Grade 8. School boards have the authority to introduce Core French before Grade 4. Students should advance through an organized sequence of learning experiences that permits a steady growth of knowledge and skills. Once an instructional sequence has begun, the program must continue uninterrupted to Grade 9.