From Stadacona to the REM · Drawing 05 of 36
The first school, in a stable
1658
In 1658, Marguerite Bourgeoys opened a school in Montréal in a former stone stable. Children came to learn reading, writing and counting. A building once used for animals became a place to learn!
Look together
Which child is raising a hand?
An idea to try
Turn a corner of the house into a school of long ago: a bench, a slate or a sheet of paper, a three-word lesson. Your child teaches the class to a stuffed animal.
For the adult reading along
A little more to discover
On April 30, 1658, Marguerite Bourgeoys opened her school in a disused stone stable. The Congrégation de Notre-Dame describes religious teaching alongside reading, writing, arithmetic and practical work. Children attended without fees.
The four pupils are imaginary: their number and identities do not reconstruct the first class. Compare the benches and slate with objects in your child’s school.
Sources and context (3)
These links lead to other websites. Explore them with an adult. Source titles appear in their original language; some linked pages are in French.
- Congrégation de Notre-Dame — Ouverture de la première école de Montréal
- Répertoire du patrimoine culturel du Québec — Marguerite Bourgeoys
- Congrégation de Notre-Dame — Histoire
Source review: 2026-09-19. Illustrations simplify places and scenes; they are not historical documents.