On September 24th, 1875, a first group of nuns arrived in Saint-François-du-Lac, but the construction of the convent was not quite finished.
The first cohort of conventines, made up of 11 boarders and 20 day students, began its classes on October 6th, 1875, one month behind the school calendar.
In 1888, there were boarding students from Montreal, Hull, Ottawa and the United States.
Young girls could receive their education as boarders (accommodation and meals included) half-boarders (accommodation but meals not included) or quarter-boarders (accommodated and fed by a resident of the village.)
The half-board or quarter formula-pension was suitable for girls living in the region: there was indeed an acquaintance or a member of the family ready to accommodate and/or feed the schoolgirls of the convent.
Music education occupies a part of choice.
In 1907, a domestic school was affiliated to the convent. Particular attention was given to the culinary arts, as well as to the cutting and making of clothes. According to several conventines, the Gray Nuns were good teachers.
In 1908-1909, expansion work took place. A wing of 60 feet by 30 feet was built to house the chapel, the recreation room and the dormitory.
In 1912, the boarding school received the title of Academy.
Until its closure in 1968, the convent received 8347 students. The Gray Nuns also taught at the village parish school.
One of them, Sister Marie-Laurence, crossed the river morning and evening to teach about 30 students at the Odanak mission school.