Before the construction of Saint-Marguerite school, the debates we're virulent, and tensions between commissioners led to the formation of a dissident school board. Two classes for boys began in a house on Sainte-Marie Street, and two classes for girls started in a house at the corner of Des Tisserands and Saint-Patrice Est.
When the school started, the Filles de la Charité du Sacré-Cœur de Jésus – or, Girls of Charity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in English – welcomed girls up to Grade 5 and boys under the age of 10.
After completing Grade 3, boys had to walk to the Académie Saint-Patrice to pursue their studies.