EFINITION OF DROPPING OUT

Dropping out of school refers to abandoning one’s schooling before getting an initial diploma. This can be
a high school diploma (DES), a vocational diploma (DEP), or a qualification (training certificate in a
semiskilled trade or prework training certificate).

Students do not drop out of school overnight. Dropping out is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon.
Throughout their schooling, youth are constantly influenced by various factors called “determinants of
school perseverance“. When these factors have a negative influence, they are called risk factors. Risk
factors increase the likelihood that a student will struggle at school, which can lead to dropping out.
Determinants of school perseverance include motivation and engagement, self-esteem, parental
supervision, school climate, and community resources.

DROPOUT INDICATOR: RATE OF STUDENTS LEAVING

SCHOOL WITHOUT A DIPLOMA OR QUALIFICATION
To quantify the dropout rate in Québec, the ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur
(MEES) calculates the rate of school leavers, among students enrolled in youth-sector general education in
a given year, who leave without a diploma or qualification. The rate is calculated annually.

A dropout, also called an “early school leaver,” is a student who was enrolled in Secondary 1 to 5 of
Québec’s youth-sector general education program as of September 30 of a given year but who cannot be
found in any general education youth-sector teaching establishment, adult-sector program, or vocational
program in Québec during a follow-up almost two years later.

Rate of early school leavers = students leaving school without a diploma or qualification / All high school
leavers enrolled in youth-sector general education

Notes:

 Unless otherwise indicated, the indicator used throughout this site is the public-sector dropout rate,
since the government’s graduation rate targets are based on public-sector parameters.
 Due to methodological differences, the dropout rate cannot be calculated simply by subtracting the
graduation rate from 100%.

For further details and information on the dropout rate, please visit the MEES website. (French only)

DROPOUT RATES DECLINING IN MONTREAL

For several years, the dropout rate has been declining in Montreal. At 24.6% in 2009, it dropped to 16.3%
in 2018. Despite this notable improvement, no fewer than 1,970 students left school without obtaining a
diploma in 2018. Taking a closer look at Montreal’s specific context helps to better understand these
figures.