Several hundred parents slept in tents and weathered the cold in the hopes of registering their children at Montreal's arts-oriented school.

The line-up started Friday night in front of FACE School, for a Monday morning deadline.




Unlike other schools, FACE does not offer admission tests or academic reviews. Instead, students are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Doors opened Monday morning and approximately 225 applications were submitted. The school's principal, Nick Primiano, estimates it will be another few weeks before parents learn if the wait was worth while.

Artistic bent

FACE, which is an acronym for Fine Arts Core Education, has been offering a specialized arts program since 1975. It was rated one of the best schools in Montreal a few years ago, which contributed to its popularity.

There is room for 1,500 students from preschool to high school. Courses are taught in either French or English.