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Ottawa private high school rankings

Find the best Ottawa high schools for you with help from OUR KIDS rankings

Ottawa private high schools are ranked below by tuition, class sizes, admissions selectivity, and other factors. Use these rankings to explore the range of Ottawa secondary schools from traditional academics to specialized and faith-based programs. Rankings are just one source of info, and the right school is the one that fits your child’s goals, interests, and personality.

Rankings on this page

Explore the complete list of Ottawa high schools on OUR KIDS, the guide families trust to make the right choice.


See the Full List  

When choosing a school, it's important that you look at all of the options and fully investigate what each school offers. Our advice guide covers different types of schools, choosing, paying for private education, and other important topics.

OUR KIDS' tools and guidance also includes:

At the Ottawa private school expo, meet private secondary school representatives, explore schools in-depth, one-on-one, and attend information seminars led by education experts. Get clarity on vital topics related to making the right school choice. Meet with admissions teams from each school, as well as current parents and students who have experienced the journey firsthand. All in one afternoon. Click here for details and to RSVP.

Best university placement

Ottawa high schools are ranked below by university placement. Private high schools in Ottawa share with OUR KIDS the number of graduates who have attended Harvard, Yale, Princeton, University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth, Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Stanford, University of Chicago, Oxford, or Cambridge (UK) in the last five years. This offers a snapshot of academic outcomes, but weigh other elements too—teaching style, student support, and how well each school fosters your child’s growth.
School Location Grades Grads in Top US/UK
Schools (5 yrs)
1 Elmwood School Ottawa, ON PS to 12 16
2 Lycée Claudel Ottawa, ON PS to 12 10
3 Heritage Academy of Learning Excellence Ottawa, ON 1 to 12 4

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Lowest admission rates

Private high schools in Ottawa with the lowest acceptance rates are ranked below. This number can indicate demand or a competitive program, but it can also depend on school size or even marketing budget. It's not proof of quality, necessarily. Fit and environment matter most.
School Location Grades Acceptance
rate
1 Elmwood School Ottawa, ON PS to 12 70%
2 Ashbury College Ottawa, ON 3 to 12 70%
3 Kanata Montessori Kanata, ON NS to 12 70%
4 Heritage Academy of Learning Excellence Ottawa, ON 1 to 12 75%
5 Lycée Claudel Ottawa, ON PS to 12 75%
6 Académie de la Capitale Ottawa, ON JK to 12 85%
7 Académie St-Laurent Academy Ottawa, ON NS to 12 90%
8 Element High School Ottawa, ON 7 to 12 95%

Best high schools for sports

Below, find Ottawa private high schools ranked by the number of sports programs they offer. Schools with a greater number of athletics programs would likely create a more competitive environment, but use this data as a small part of your overall decision. 
School Location Grades Total sports
programs
1 Académie St-Laurent Academy Ottawa, ON NS to 12 45
2 Heritage Academy of Learning Excellence Ottawa, ON 1 to 12 34
3 Elmwood School Ottawa, ON PS to 12 33
4 Lycée Claudel Ottawa, ON PS to 12 33
5 Kanata Montessori Kanata, ON NS to 12 25
6 Ashbury College Ottawa, ON 3 to 12 23
7 Element High School Ottawa, ON 7 to 12 18
8 Académie de la Capitale Ottawa, ON JK to 12 9
9 R.I.S.E. Academy Nepean, ON 8 to 12 0

Smallest class sizes

Ottawa private high schools are ranked by smallest class sizes below. This allows teachers to know students individually, improving engagement and accountability. It can be an important factor in kids' education but there are other factors, of course. 

School Location Grades Avg. class size
1 R.I.S.E. Academy Nepean, ON 8 to 12 1
2 Académie de la Capitale Ottawa, ON JK to 12 8 to 12
3 Heritage Academy of Learning Excellence Ottawa, ON 1 to 12 8 to 14
4 Académie St-Laurent Academy Ottawa, ON NS to 12 12 to 15
5 Kanata Montessori Kanata, ON NS to 12 12 to 23
6 Elmwood School Ottawa, ON PS to 12 15 to 18
7 Ashbury College Ottawa, ON 3 to 12 17
8 Lycée Claudel Ottawa, ON PS to 12 20 to 24

Most affordable private high schools

Most affordable Ottawa private high schools are ranked below by tuition. Lower costs make independent education more accessible, but affordability alone shouldn’t drive your choice. Look for balance—academic standards, community, and overall value.
School Location Grades Tuition
1 Lycée Claudel Ottawa, ON PS to 12 $12,376 to $14,527
2 Académie St-Laurent Academy Ottawa, ON NS to 12 $13,000 to $21,000
3 Heritage Academy of Learning Excellence Ottawa, ON 1 to 12 $18,000 to $19,680
4 Elmwood School Ottawa, ON PS to 12 $18,800 to $37,650
5 Element High School Ottawa, ON 7 to 12 $18,810 to $21,905

Most expensive private schools

Ottawa private high schools are ranked by the highest tuition fees, below. Higher costs often reflect rich facilities and program depth, but price doesn’t ensure quality or the right fit.
School Location Grades Tuition
1 Ashbury College Ottawa, ON 3 to 12 $38,970 to $84,700
2 Elmwood School Ottawa, ON PS to 12 $18,800 to $37,650
3 Académie de la Capitale Ottawa, ON JK to 12 $23,285 to $26,920
4 Element High School Ottawa, ON 7 to 12 $18,810 to $21,905
5 Académie St-Laurent Academy Ottawa, ON NS to 12 $13,000 to $21,000

Oldest private schools

Ottawa’s oldest high schools are listed here by founding year. History can indicate tradition and continuity, but newer schools may bring modern perspectives and innovation. 
School Location Grades Founded
1 Ashbury College Ottawa, ON 3 to 12 1891
2 Elmwood School Ottawa, ON PS to 12 1915
3 Lycée Claudel Ottawa, ON PS to 12 1962
4 Kanata Montessori Kanata, ON NS to 12 1974
5 Heritage Academy of Learning Excellence Ottawa, ON 1 to 12 1989
6 Académie de la Capitale Ottawa, ON JK to 12 1998
7 Element High School Ottawa, ON 7 to 12 2003
8 Académie St-Laurent Academy Ottawa, ON NS to 12 2007
9 R.I.S.E. Academy Nepean, ON 8 to 12 2020

Schools with the most notable alumni

Ottawa high schools ranked by notable alumni appear below. Graduates with public recognition or Wikipedia profiles can signal a school’s legacy of success, but that’s only one lens to look through. Choose based on where your child will feel supported and inspired.

School Location Grades Notable
alumni
1 Ashbury College Ottawa, ON 3 to 12 7
2 Elmwood School Ottawa, ON PS to 12 2

Schools with the most financial aid

Ottawa high schools offering the most financial aid appear below, ranked by the percentage of students receiving assistance. This can help you identify programs committed to accessibility. Use this information to explore schools where support extends beyond finances to academics and student well-being.
School Location Grades Students
1 Elmwood School Ottawa, ON PS to 12 24%
2 Ashbury College Ottawa, ON 3 to 12 10%
3 Académie de la Capitale Ottawa, ON JK to 12 2%
4 Lycée Claudel Ottawa, ON PS to 12 0%

Largest private high schools

Ottawa private high schools ranked by total enrollment are listed here. Larger schools can provide broad academic offerings, clubs, and peer networks, while smaller ones often deliver more personal mentorship. Use this as a guide, not a rule, when choosing.

School Location Grades Enrollment
1 Lycée Claudel Ottawa, ON PS to 12 980
2 Ashbury College Ottawa, ON 3 to 12 750
3 Académie St-Laurent Academy Ottawa, ON NS to 12 550
4 Kanata Montessori Kanata, ON NS to 12 386
5 Elmwood School Ottawa, ON PS to 12 385
6 Heritage Academy of Learning Excellence Ottawa, ON 1 to 12 170
7 Element High School Ottawa, ON 7 to 12 100
8 R.I.S.E. Academy Nepean, ON 8 to 12 100
9 Académie de la Capitale Ottawa, ON JK to 12 65

Schools with the smallest average enrollment per grade

Ottawa high schools with the smallest average enrollment per grade appear below. Smaller grade sizes foster closer connections, easier collaboration, and more tailored instruction. This can create a comfortable environment for focused learning.
School Location Grades Day enrollment avg
1 Académie de la Capitale Ottawa, ON JK to 12 4
2 Heritage Academy of Learning Excellence Ottawa, ON 1 to 12 14
3 Element High School Ottawa, ON 7 to 12 17
4 R.I.S.E. Academy Nepean, ON 8 to 12 20
5 Kanata Montessori Kanata, ON NS to 12 23

Schools with the largest average enrollment per grade

Private high schools in Ottawa ranked by largest enrollment per grade are listed here. Bigger cohorts can offer more variety and social energy but may feel less personal. Use this ranking to weigh scale against individual attention and overall fit.
School Location Grades Enrollment avg
1 Ashbury College Ottawa, ON 3 to 12 75
2 Lycée Claudel Ottawa, ON PS to 12 61
3 Académie St-Laurent Academy Ottawa, ON NS to 12 32
4 Elmwood School Ottawa, ON PS to 12 24
5 Kanata Montessori Kanata, ON NS to 12 23

Frequently Asked Questions

Are good?
We interviewed both parents and students. You can read reviews about on this page.

What is the most expensive ?
Ashbury College has the highest tuition fees from $38,970 to $84,700 per year with an average tuition of $61,835 per year.

Which has the lowest acceptance rates?
The with the lowest acceptance rate is Elmwood School. The school has an overall accepance rate of 70%.

What is the oldest ?
Ashbury College is the oldest . The school was founded in 1891.

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