Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario

What Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario does

CEPEO (Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario) is the largest French-language public school board outside Quebec, operating 44 schools across Eastern Ontario and serving approximately 17,500 students from preschool through grade 12, plus adult learners. Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Ottawa, the board spans seven regions — Trenton, Pembroke, Kingston, Ottawa, Hawkesbury, and Cornwall — covering more than 40,000 km². The offering extends beyond K-12 to include adult education (Le Carrefour), specialized education (Le Transit), international student enrollment through the Bureau de l'Éducation internationale (BEI), and 32 partner-managed early childhood centres. Specialized academic tracks include the International Baccalaureate (IB), 13 Majeures haute spécialisation (MHS), the Ontario Arts Excellence Centre (CEAO), STIAM (Sciences, Technologies, Ingénierie, Arts et Mathématiques) concentration, Sports-études, and alternative pedagogies (Steiner-Waldorf, Reggio Emilia). The board maintains a 94.9% student retention rate and is a national leader on equity, having created Canada's first Commissioner for Equity and Human Rights position in a francophone school board.

The board operates standard educational technology rather than proprietary platforms. Core systems include an Aspen-based Portail Famille (Family Portal) providing parents real-time access to attendance, report cards, and transcripts as well as year-round online registration; a 1:1 Chromebook program starting in Grade 2; and IT infrastructure with multi-factor authentication and SASE security. Service delivery is supported by 32 partner early childhood centres, student transportation outsourced to two consortia (CTSE and the Ottawa School Transportation Consortium), social work and mental health services (1,319 students served in 2023-2024), and a Parent Podcast (Repères parentaux). Specialized programming is hosted in dedicated facilities such as the new École secondaire publique Pierre-de-Blois (Barrhaven South, opened December 2022) and ÉSP Mille-Îles (new building, 2023).

As a publicly funded Ontario school board under the Education Act, CEPEO's revenue model rests almost entirely on provincial per-pupil grants administered by the Ontario Ministry of Education, supplemented by school taxes and a small international student fee stream. The 2023-2024 budget was CAD $320.4 million — 68.9% to teaching and student services, 9.6% to operations, 6.8% to transportation, 6.6% to capital/interest, 3.9% to administration. The board charges no tuition to Canadian residents. Governance is by elected council led by President Samia Ouled Ali, with operational leadership under Director of Education Christian-Charle Bouchard (appointed October 2023).

Name

Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario

Legal name

Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario

Website

https://cepeo.on.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

CEPEO is the largest French-language public school board outside Quebec, operating 44 schools across Eastern Ontario and serving approximately 17,500 K-12 and adult learners with government-funded programming. It delivers specialized curricula including IB, MHS, and arts excellence tracks across seven regions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public K-12 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Middle Schools (EDAJAAAC)

Keywords

• Public k-12 education
• French-language education
• Adult education services
• Specialized education programs
• Student transportation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Ottawa

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Provincial government education funding: As a public school board in Ontario, CEPEO is primarily funded by the Ontario Ministry of Education through per-pupil grants and targeted allocations. The 2023-2024 budget was $320 million, with 68.9% allocated to teaching and student services ($220.6M), 9.6% to school operations ($30.9M), 6.8% to transportation ($21.9M), 6.6% to interest and capital costs ($21.1M), 3.9% to administration ($12.4M), 2.7% to other expenses ($8.7M), and 1.5% from school-generated funds ($4.8M).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CEPEO is a French-language public school board operating 44 schools across seven regions of Eastern Ontario, providing tuition-free elementary and secondary education to approximately 17,500 students and adult learners. The board also delivers specialized programs (International Baccalaureate, 13 Specialized Majors, CEAO Arts Excellence Centre, STIAM concentration, Sports-études), specialized education for students with special needs via Le Transit, adult education through Le Carrefour, and international student services through the Bureau de l'Éducation internationale (BEI), along with student transportation via two regional consortia.

Product overview

CEPEO is a unified French-language public school board providing comprehensive educational services through its network of 44 schools. The core offering consists of elementary and secondary education programs across seven regions, supplemented by specialized services including the Portail Famille (digital parent portal), adult education (Carrefour), specialized education (Le Transit), and international student services (BEI). Specialized academic programs include the International Baccalaureate, 13 Specialized Majors (MHS), the Ontario Arts Excellence Center, Sports-Studies concentration, and STIAM concentration. Additional services include before/after school care, early childhood programs through 'ON y va' centers, student transportation, social work/mental health services, and the Repères parentaux podcast.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Preschool Programs (Palier préscolaire) Tuition-free preschool programs for children aged 0 to 6, offered in partnership with 32 early childhood centres across the CEPEO territory. Includes the free 'ON y va' child and family centres where children 0-6 accompanied by parents can play and learn in French.
• Elementary Programs (Palier élémentaire) Tuition-free French-language elementary school programs from kindergarten through grade 8, delivered across 28 elementary schools in seven regions of Eastern Ontario, including a 1:1 Chromebook program starting from Grade 2.
• Secondary Programs (Palier secondaire) Tuition-free French-language secondary school programs for grades 9-12, leading to the Ontario Secondary School Diploma, delivered across 14 secondary schools in seven regions of Eastern Ontario.
• Before and After School Care Before and after school care programs for elementary students, supporting working families across CEPEO's school network.
• Adult Education (Éducation aux adultes / Le Carrefour) Continuing education, high school diploma completion, and professional certification programs (early childhood educator, administrative assistant, personal support worker) for adult learners in French. Delivered in-person and online, including the first-in-province French-language class at the Prescott and Russell Residence.
• Specialized Education (Le Transit) Specialized education programs for students with special needs, delivered through Le Transit with adapted pathways and individualized support.
• International Student Services (Bureau de l'Éducation internationale / BEI) International student recruitment, enrollment, orientation, and ongoing support delivered through the Bureau de l'Éducation internationale (BEI), including international school twinning (Burkina Faso, France) and curriculum internationalization initiatives.
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Program International Baccalaureate (IB) program offered at select CEPEO secondary schools, providing students with a globally recognized pre-university diploma pathway.
• Specialized Majors (Majeure haute spécialisation / MHS) High-Specialization Major (MHS) program offering 13 specialized pathways (e.g., business, health sciences, ICT, arts) that allow secondary students to focus their studies in a particular field with industry-aligned experiences.
• Ontario Arts Excellence Centre (Centre d'excellence artistique de l'Ontario / CEAO) Centre d'excellence artistique de l'Ontario (CEAO) providing specialized training in theatre, writing, visual arts, cinema, dance, vocal music, string instruments, and wind/percussion for artistically focused secondary students.
• Sports-Studies Concentration (Concentration Sports-études) Sports-études concentration enabling student-athletes to balance rigorous academic study with elite athletic training across CEPEO secondary schools. In 2023-2024, 3,138 student-athletes participated in CEPEO-organized sports activities.
• STIAM Concentration (Sciences, Technologies, Ingénierie, Arts et Mathématiques) STIAM concentration (Sciences, Technologies, Ingénierie, Arts et Mathématiques) providing an integrated STEM-arts pathway for secondary students.
• Student Transportation (Transport scolaire) School bus transportation coordinated for CEPEO students through two consortia: the Consortium de transport scolaire de l'Est (CTSE) and the Ottawa School Transportation Consortium (transportscolaire.ca), covering a territory spanning over 40,000 km².

Quantifiable outcome

• 94.9% student retention rate in 2023-2024
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

32 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Festival Franco-OntariencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for Franco-Ontarian cultural celebrations and events, including the Jour des Franco-Ontariennes et des Franco-Ontariens celebrations across all CEPEO schools.
• Maison de la francophonie d'OttawacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA gathering place for Ottawa's plural Francophone community. CEPEO partners with La Maison de la francophonie for community events, cultural programming, and supporting francophone vitality in Eastern Ontario.
• MIFO (Mouvement d'implication francophone d'Orléans)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEPEO's proud partner — a community organization promoting francophone engagement and cultural activities in Orléans.
• Muséoparc VaniercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe only francophone museum in Ottawa, bringing Franco-Ontarian history, culture, and traditions to life. CEPEO partners with Muséoparc for educational and cultural programming.
• Musée des sciences et de la technologie du CanadaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerScience and technology museum in Ottawa that partners with CEPEO schools for STEM-related educational programs and museum visits.
• Consortium de transport scolaire de l'Est (CTSE)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Eastern Ontario Student Transportation Consortium coordinated by Annie Dugas, Surintendante des affaires, provides busing services for CEPEO students in the eastern region of the Board's territory.
• Consortium de transport scolaire d'Ottawa (transportscolaire.ca)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOttawa Student Transportation Consortium that provides busing services for CEPEO students in the Ottawa region, coordinated with the Board's transportation services.
• Carrefour santé OrléansminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth centre in Orléans that collaborates with CEPEO on student health and wellness initiatives.
• Hôpital général de HawkesburyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospital in Hawkesbury that partners with CEPEO for student health services and community wellness programs in the Prescott-Russell region.
• Centre culturel FrontenacminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural centre in Kingston that collaborates with CEPEO schools in the Kingston region for cultural events and programming.
• Patro d'OttawaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity centre providing recreational and educational programs. Partners with CEPEO for community engagement and student activities in Ottawa.
• Centre des services communautaires VanierminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity services organization in Vanier that partners with CEPEO for community-based programming and family support services.
• Université Queen's (Queen's University)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRachel Laforest, CEPEO school board trustee (President 2022-2023), is a tenured professor in the Political Studies department at Queen's University in Kingston.
• Atlético OttawaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerÉcole élémentaire publique Gabrielle-Roy has a soccer partnership with Atlético Ottawa, providing students with professional sports engagement and soccer programming.
• UNESCO / Commission canadienne pour l'UNESCOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEPEO schools, particularly Mille-Îles, participate in the UNESCO Associated Schools Network. Roda Muse, Secretary-General of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, visited CEPEO schools to celebrate this membership. The network connects CEPEO to 12,500 schools in 182 countries around peace and sustainable development.
• Centre Jules-Léger (CCJL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe CCJL Consortium is a key provincial partner. CEPEO's President Samia Ouled Ali chairs the CCJL, linking CEPEO to Ontario's French-language school board consortium for shared services and advocacy.
• Fédération nationale des conseils scolaires francophones (FNCSF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational federation of francophone school boards across Canada. CEPEO's President Samia Ouled Ali serves on the FNCSF board, representing the Board at the national level for francophone education advocacy.
• Association des conseils scolaires des écoles publiques de l'Ontario (ACÉPO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation of Ontario French-language public school boards. CEPEO's President Samia Ouled Ali serves as Vice-President of ACÉPO, and the Board is affiliated with this provincial advocacy body.
• Collège La CitéminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEPEO partners with Collège La Cité, Ontario's French-language college, including co-organizing the first Conference on Indigenous Issues in Francophone Contexts focused on identity, bringing together 70+ community partners.
• Réseau de soutien à l'immigration francophone de l'Est de l'Ontario (RSIFEO)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork supporting francophone immigration in Eastern Ontario. CEPEO collaborates with RSIFEO to welcome and support newcomer families in its schools.
• Communautés des Premières Nations (Akwesasne, Pikwakanagan)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEPEO maintains ongoing partnerships with nearby First Nations communities including Akwesasne and Pikwakanagan. Activities include cultural experiences at the Native North American Travelling College, reconciliation events, and culturally specific programming for Indigenous students.
• École élémentaire et secondaire publique L'ÉquinoxeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEPEO partnered with FrancoQueer for the implementation of the Diversity in Sexual and Gender Education Plan, supporting 2ELGBTQIA+ students.
• Native North American Travelling College (Akwesasne)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural college in Akwesasne where CEPEO students participated in traditional Kanien'kehá:ka songs and dances over five weeks. More than 30 students and parents took part in this cultural immersion experience.
• Ferme MadahokiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted the first-ever Great Back-to-School Celebration for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit families, with 90 students and parents attending. CEPEO partners with Ferme Madahoki for Indigenous community events.
• Société de soutien à l'enfance et à la famille des Premières NationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst Nations Child and Family Services society. CEPEO participated in the 'Have a Heart Day' organized by this society, a child-led reconciliation event to help First Nations children grow up safely at home.
• Theatre Catapulte / Nouveau Théâtre ExpérimentalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTheatre Catapulte invited CEPEO's Centre d'excellence artistique de l'Ontario (CEAO) to participate in the Kerouac Project (coproduction with the Nouveau Théâtre Expérimental) for the 100th anniversary of Jack Kerouac's birth.
• Fondation de l'espoir (Aboriginal Hope Foundation) — Exhibition on Residential SchoolsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner14 CEPEO secondary schools (600+ students) visited the Hope Foundation's exhibition on Indigenous residential schools during November-December 2023 as part of the Board's Truth and Reconciliation initiatives.
• École de jour de Prescott et RussellminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEPEO offered the first live French-language class in the province at the Prescott and Russell Residence, expanding adult education access to senior residents.
• Association canadienne-française de l'Ontario (ACFO) — Prescott et RussellminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrancophone association in Prescott and Russell region that collaborates with CEPEO schools on community events and Franco-Ontarian cultural activities.
• Trenton Golden Hawks (TGH)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJunior hockey team in Trenton. CEPEO partners with Trenton Golden Hawks for community engagement and sports-related activities in the Trenton region.
• École de la forêt (Burkina Faso school twinning)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner5 CEPEO schools twinned with schools in Burkina Faso (105 CEPEO students, 120 Burkina Faso students, 5 teachers per side), creating international learning connections and cultural exchange.
• Écoles de France (France school twinning)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner2 CEPEO schools twinned with schools in France (40 CEPEO students, 45 French students, 2 teachers per side), fostering international cultural exchange.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Conseil scolaire Viamonde: The other French-language public school board in Ontario, serving the Greater Toronto/Hamilton and southwestern regions. Directly comparable because it operates under the same Ontario public francophone mandate with per-pupil provincial funding, offering K-12 and adult education across an equally broad catchment.
• Conseil scolaire de district catholique de l'Est ontarien: Catholic French-language school board operating across the same Eastern Ontario territory as CEPEO. Closely comparable as it competes for the same francophone student base under similar provincial funding rules, offering K-12 and adult education services.
• Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est de l'Ontario: Catholic French-language board serving the Ottawa/Eastern Ontario region. Comparable because it is funded under the same provincial framework, offers K-12 plus adult education and competes head-to-head with CEPEO for francophone families in the same urban core.
• Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir: Ontario Catholic French-language school board serving Central and Southwestern Ontario. Comparable under identical Ontario francophone policy and funding, with parallel service portfolio (K-12, adult education, specialized programs) targeting the same minority-language demographic.
• Conseil scolaire catholique du Centre-Est de l'Ontario: French Catholic school board serving part of CEPEO's catchment. Highly relevant because it draws from the same pool of Eastern Ontario francophone students, is funded through identical per-pupil grants, and competes for the same specialized-program enrolment.
• Conseil scolaire public du Nord-Est de l'Ontario: French-language public school board serving Northeastern Ontario. Directly comparable as the third Ontario public francophone board with the same mandate, funding regime, and delivery model (K-12 schools, adult education, special education) across a vast geography.

Regional players

• Conseil scolaire FrancoSud: Alberta's French-language public school board. Comparable on mandate and minority-language French education delivery model, but operates in a different province/regulatory environment (Alberta funding and curriculum), making it a regional rather than direct competitor.
• Commission scolaire / Centre de services scolaire de la Côte-du-Sud: Quebec French-language school service centre. Comparable as a francophone K-12 public education provider with similar administrative structure (conseil/board, schools, transport consortia), but operates under Quebec's distinct education regime and does not compete for Ontario students.

Broad incumbents

• Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB): English-language public school board operating in the same Ottawa-region geography. Comparable as a public school board serving the same urban and suburban families (different language track), with similar funding model and scale (~$1B+ budget) and a K-12 plus adult education service mix.
• Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB): English public school board serving Eastern Ontario, including areas that overlap CEPEO's 7-region territory (Kingston, Cornwall, Brockville, etc.). Comparable in geography and rural/mixed urban delivery, offering a benchmark for English-track K-12 funding and operations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ottawacepeo
• Facebookfacebook.com/cepeo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cepeo

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario