AQCS
AQCS is a Quebec-based non-profit professional association serving over 3,000 school administrators in Quebec's public education network through membership representation, labor relations advocacy, and professional development programs including certifications and training.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1972
- HeadquartersQuébec, Canada
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What AQCS does
AQCS (Association québécoise des cadres scolaires) is a Quebec-based non-profit professional association founded in 1972 that represents more than 3,000 school administrators across Quebec's public education network. The organization serves managers in advisory, support, and supervisory roles within school service centers, school boards, adult education centers, vocational training centers, and primary and secondary schools, organizing them into 12 professional commissions and approximately 60 geographic sections. Its core functional pillars are labor relations advocacy (compensation, pensions, collective insurance, working conditions), government affairs representation at the provincial level, and professional development across the member career lifecycle.
The association's product surface is built around a web-based ecosystem. Clic Gestion is a self-assessment web application grounded in the Référentiel de compétences des gestionnaires scolaires, offering competency dashboards, peer benchmarking, and a media library of curated training resources. SimulGestion delivers simulation-based management training. BaladAQCS is a podcast series of 23+ episodes on management topics, distributed on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and sponsored by La Personnelle. PerformAQCS is a formal 45-hour leadership certification co-issued with the Leadership Institute and Concordia University Continuing Education. Supporting infrastructure includes a member portal (Zone membre), PairConnex for event registration, Microsoft Teams groups for each commission and section, Google Analytics for web usage tracking, and Stripe for payment processing.
AQCS generates revenue primarily through membership dues set at 1% of member salary (approved by the General Assembly and deducted automatically through employer payroll), supplemented by professional development fees. Training offerings are priced from CAD 225 to CAD 2,050 per program, with tiered pricing on refresher sessions (CAD 400 for members, CAD 450 for CSS-CS professionals, CAD 850 for non-members). Distribution is direct-to-member via the association's website, professional commissions, geographic sections, and dedicated contact channels for relations du travail ([email protected]) and commission support ([email protected]). Governance is member-led through an Assembly and Board of Directors, with Jean-François Parent serving as Président-directeur général (PDG).
AQCS firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AQCS
- Legal name
- Association québécoise des cadres scolaires (AQCS)
- Website
- https://aqcs.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1972
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- AQCS is a Quebec-based non-profit professional association serving over 3,000 school administrators in Quebec's public education network through membership representation, labor relations advocacy, and professional development programs including certifications and training.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where AQCS is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Québec
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
AQCS business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: The primary revenue source is membership dues set at 1% of salary. Upon membership acceptance, confirmation is sent to the member's payroll department and dues are automatically deducted. The General Assembly (members) sets the membership rate.
- Professional Development Programs: AQCS generates revenue through various professional development offerings including management training sessions, certifications, and coaching programs. Training fees range from $225 to $2,050 per program.
- Session Registration Fees: Refresher training sessions and professional development events have tiered pricing: AQCS members at $400, professionals from CSS-CS at $450, and non-AQCS school administrators at $850.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Standard membership dues |
| One time/ perpetual license | One time/ perpetual license | Leadership Certification Program |
| Subscription | One time/ perpetual license | Leader-Coach Training |
| Subscription | One time/ perpetual license | Political Skills Development |
| Subscription | One time/ perpetual license | Team Engagement Support |
| Subscription | One time/ perpetual license | Design Thinking Workshop |
| Subscription | One time/ perpetual license | Micromanagement Workshop |
| Subscription | One time/ perpetual license | Communicating Manager Training |
| Subscription | One time/ perpetual license | Data-Driven Performance Training |
| Subscription | One time/ perpetual license | Workload Rethinking Workshop |
| Subscription | One time/ perpetual license | Decision-Making Workshop |
| Subscription | One time/ perpetual license | Team Alignment Training |
| Subscription | One time/ perpetual license | Performance Anxiety Workshop |
| Subscription | One time/ perpetual license | Decision Implementation Workshop |
| Subscription | One time/ perpetual license | CPSRH Refresher Session |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
AQCS product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AQCS is a Quebec-based professional association serving over 3,000 school administrators through membership services, professional development programs, labor relations support, and government affairs representation. Its core sellable offerings include the Clic Gestion competency assessment platform, the BaladAQCS podcast series, SimulGestion simulation training, the PerformAQCS leadership certification program, a catalog of management training sessions, professional development events, and an expert coaching program. Membership dues are set at 1% of salary and auto-deducted via payroll.
Product overview
AQCS offers a platform-based professional development ecosystem for school administrators in Quebec's public education network. The core offerings include Clic Gestion (a web-based competency self-assessment and tracking platform), BaladAQCS (a podcast series on education management topics), and SimulGestion (simulation-based training). These are complemented by PerformAQCS (a formal leadership certification program), management training courses, professional development sessions organized by professional commissions, and an expert coaching program. Members access services through a member portal with integrated tools for registration (PairConnex), collaboration (Microsoft Teams), and payment processing (Stripe).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- BaladAQCS: A podcast series addressing management challenges in the public education network, aimed at the professional development of school administrators.
- Clic Gestion
- SimulGestion
- PerformAQCS
Products and services
- Clic Gestion Web application that enables AQCS members to continuously evaluate their management competencies through an online questionnaire based on the School Managers Competency Framework (Référentiel de compétences des gestionnaires scolaires). Features a dashboard to track competency evolution, comparison with other registered managers, and a media library offering personalized professional development activities including training, readings, webinars, and MOOCs.
- BaladAQCS Podcast Series Series of podcasts addressing management challenges in Quebec's public education network. Each episode features an expert resource person and an AQCS member school administrator sharing field experience. Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts with 23+ episodes covering topics such as leadership, emotional intelligence, coaching, organizational change, and team engagement.
- SimulGestion Management simulation training program offering workshops on topics such as communication skills and professional maturity for school administrators' professional development.
- PerformAQCS Leadership Certification Comprehensive leadership certification program spanning five weeks with two half-days per week, covering team mobilization, communication skills, strengths-based management, coaching and talent management, political skills and influence, and managerial courage. Diploma jointly awarded by the Leadership Institute and Concordia University Continuing Education. Priced at $2,050 (regular price $5,595).
- Formations en gestion (Management Training Catalog) Catalog of management training offerings including in-person sessions and webinars on topics such as leadership, managerial courage, political acumen, communications, emotional intelligence, and retirement preparation. Features expert resource persons addressing content in relation to education network realities.
- Sessions de perfectionnement (Professional Development Sessions) Custom-tailored professional development events lasting one to three days, organized annually in collaboration with AQCS's 12 professional commissions. Features expert speakers and workshops addressing members' specific needs and challenges. Pricing is tiered: AQCS members at $400, CSS-CS professionals at $450, and non-AQCS school administrators at $850.
- Programme de coaching d'expertise Expert coaching program providing AQCS members with individual support for professional development and leadership growth.
- Démarche d'évolution des compétences Competency evolution approach encompassing the overall professional development framework, including self-assessment tools, training, coaching, and continuous learning resources for school administrators.
Companies that use AQCS
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
AQCS technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
Feature3 records
AQCS partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- La PersonnellecoreLa Personnelle is a faithful partner of AQCS, supporting the production of the BaladAQCS podcast series. The company sponsors the podcast content that addresses management challenges in Quebec's public education network.
- ACREQ (Association des Cadres Retraités de l'Éducation du Québec)minorAQCS has a partnership with ACREQ for member transition. Upon retirement, members can authorize AQCS to transfer their contact information to ACREQ. Members can choose whether to authorize or decline this transfer.
- Leadership Institute (Institut de leadership)coreAQCS collaborates with the Leadership Institute to offer the Leadership and Management Skills Certification program. The diploma is jointly awarded by the Leadership Institute and Concordia University Continuing Education.
- Concordia University Continuing EducationcorePartner in the Leadership and Management Skills Certification program. Concordia University Continuing Education jointly awards the diploma with the Leadership Institute.
- CPCG (Comité de perfectionnement des cadres et des gérants)coreCPCG is a committee for the professional development of administrators and managers that AQCS collaborates with. The committee works on developing professional training opportunities for school administrators.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights4 records
AQCS competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Ontario Principals' Council: Ontario Principals' Council is the provincial association representing school principals and vice-principals in Ontario public schools. It mirrors AQCS's role as a membership-based professional association offering labor-relations support, professional development, and government advocacy, but for Ontario rather than Quebec.
- BC Principals' & Vice-Principals' Association: BCPVPA represents school principals and vice-principals across British Columbia's public education system, providing professional development, advocacy and member services. It is a directly comparable provincial school-administrator association operating in a different Canadian province.
- National Association of Elementary School Principals: NAESP serves elementary and middle-school principals in the U.S. through professional development, advocacy and member benefits. It is a directly comparable school-administrator professional association with a similar member-services model.
- National Association of Secondary School Principals: NASSP represents middle- and high-school principals in the U.S., offering leadership training, advocacy and member services. Comparable to AQCS as a school-administrator professional association, though at U.S. national scale.
Broad incumbents
- Canadian Association of Principals: CAP is a national Canadian association of school principals that operates above the provincial level. It addresses similar themes of professional development, leadership standards and advocacy but on a pan-Canadian scale rather than a single province.
- American Association of School Administrators: AASA is the largest U.S. professional association for school superintendents and administrators, providing professional learning, policy advocacy and member services. It is a broader, established incumbent that operates at national scale with overlapping membership, advocacy and PD mandates.
Regional players
- Association of California School Administrators: ACSA is a California-based professional association for school administrators offering professional development, political advocacy and labor-relations support. It is a regional peer serving a single U.S. state with a mandate closely parallel to AQCS's provincial mandate.
Others
- Association des cadres retraités de l'éducation du Québec: ACREQ is AQCS's formal retirement-transition partner; retired AQCS members can have their contact information transferred to ACREQ. It is an adjacent, ecosystem-related organization that does not directly compete but extends the member lifecycle.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
AQCS social profiles
Digital presenceAQCS financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AQCS leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
AQCS funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AQCS M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about AQCS
What does AQCS do?
AQCS is a Quebec-based professional association serving over 3,000 school administrators through membership services, professional development programs, labor relations support, and government affairs representation. Its core sellable offerings include the Clic Gestion competency assessment platform, the BaladAQCS podcast series, SimulGestion simulation training, the PerformAQCS leadership certification program, a catalog of management training sessions, professional development events, and an expert coaching program. Membership dues are set at 1% of salary and auto-deducted via payroll.
Is AQCS a public or private company?
AQCS is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was AQCS founded?
AQCS was founded in 1972.
Where is AQCS based?
AQCS is headquartered in Québec, Canada, in the North America region.
How does AQCS make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are professional Development Programs and session Registration Fees.
Who are AQCS's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Ontario Principals' Council, BC Principals' & Vice-Principals' Association, National Association of Elementary School Principals and National Association of Secondary School Principals. Broad incumbents are Canadian Association of Principals and American Association of School Administrators. Association of California School Administrators is listed as a regional player. Association des cadres retraités de l'éducation du Québec is listed as an others.
Does AQCS have an API?
No public API is recorded for AQCS.