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Gifted schools in Ottawa

Find the top gifted schools and programs in Ottawa.

On this page, we cover private schools in Ottawa, Ontario that offer gifted programs and support. This includes gifted schools and programs in downtown Ottawa, Ottawa-Gatineau, Rockliffe Park, Rockland, Kemptville, Nepean, Kanata, Centretown, Centrepoint, the Glebe, Riverside Park, and Hampton Park. 

For a more complete guide to gifted education, including a discussion of private vs. public options, start with our introductory guide.

Private schools are not obligated to support gifted learners with special programs. Many private schools don't—even ones with strong academic reputations. The schools listed on this page, however, do. We organize the schools into groups: dedicated gifted schools, schools with dedicated gifted classes, and schools offering in-class gifted support. Then, in the fourth group, we identify schools that don't offer formal gifted support but have accelerated curricula for all their students.

2. Choosing a school

Our gifted education guide has advice specific to finding gifted programming. For insights that are more general (on how to evaluate school options), we recommend you review our hub on choosing a school, as well as top expert advice. You can also read our guides to questions to ask private schools and questions students get asked at school interviews.

Private school expos

Private school expos are ideal launching pads for your school-finding journey. The Ottawa private school expo allows you to speak with 15+ of the leading Ottawa private schools — all in one place. Find a gifted school near you.

Parent discussion forum

Word-of-mouth is another powerful tool in your school-finding arsenal. The Our Kids parent discussion forum allows you to discuss your options and debate topics about gifted education. You can use our community of parents, educational experts, alumni, and school officials to help answer your questions and stimulate your thinking.

Upcoming open house events

Attending open houses is a great way to learn more about a school and get a feel for the environment. For some general advice on open house visits, go here. For questions to ask that are specific to gifted programs, check out our main gifted education guide.

3. Tuition at gifted schools in Ottawa

Broadly speaking, the cost of gifted schools in Ottawa reflects private school tuition in general. Private schools can range from $5,000 to over $30,000 per year for day students.

There are quite a few affordable private schools for gifted kids. Inexpensive schools can often provide an excellent education by focusing on the classroom basics. You don't need to spend a fortune on bells and whistles: the key is getting your child individualized support. Having said that, the pricier schools will tend to provide a wider breadth of in-class and extracurricular opportunities. They will also tend to be larger and more established. Nonetheless, for most schools, the largest operating expense is usually teacher salaries.

Many schools offer financial aid (also known as "bursaries", "tuition relief", or "tuition assistance") and scholarships. Financial aid is needs-based, while scholarships are given for some measure of merit (whether it be academic, athletic, or something else). You can read more about financial aid and scholarships in our dedicated guide. Generally speaking, the larger and more expensive private schools provide the most aid. Even comfortable middle-class families can be eligible to receive aid, so don't be afraid to ask a school about it—whatever your financial situation.

Below you'll find the range of costs at Ottawa private schools with gifted programming:

Gifted programming

Institutional metrics

Academics

Special needs support

Course pedagogies

Extracurricular clubs

Extracurricular sports (competitive)

Make no mistake: gifted kids have different needs than typical students. These learners are often so advanced in their intellectual abilities that they are outliers in the classroom: a normal curriculum and approach won't be enough. When these students don't receive the custom support they need, they can disengage from school -- and even become depressed.

If you know or suspect your child is gifted, you're faced with the following questions:

• Does your child need specialized support for their giftedness?
• Should you look at private schools or go with the public system?
• Should you choose support in the form of (1) dedicated gifted schools/classes or (2) in-class adaptations?
• Should you choose a program that emphasizes (1) acceleration of content or (2) depth and breadth of inquiry? Should you consider having your child skip a grade?
• Which specific school or program should you choose?

You can also consider other options, like language immersion programs, the International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement courses (for older students), special needs programs, or other alternatives like Montessori schools.

If you're still grappling with these questions, start with our introductory guide to gifted education. Once you're versed in the fundamentals, re-visit this page to explore your specific school options in Ottawa area.

Private school policies

Private schools are not required by law to provide support for gifted children—and many don't. On the other hand, some private schools are able to offer highly individualized programs for gifted learners. The term "buyer beware" definitely applies here: it's up to you to make sure schools are properly set up for gifted learners. The list of private schools on this page (above) is a good place to start your search.