Choosing an Ottawa School

Choosing a private school in Ottawa could be challenging, as there are myriad choices, like boarding, Montessori, language-immersion, Christian, Waldorf schools, preschools (or daycares), and schools for gifted students. Here are some tips to help you navigate this rewarding process:

Make a list

What are you looking for in a school? Are you most interested in extracurricular activities? Do you think that your child would do better with only one set of examinations per year? What is your ideal class size?

Apply to more than one school

Two or three applications is a general rule of thumb. Indeed, if you merely apply to one school, rejection could be quite damaging, but giving yourself a few options is not overwhelming.

Visit a few schools

Don't go to too many, as subjecting yourself or your child to copious school tours could be unnecessarily stressful. But, at the same time, do not rely on merely one school. At these visits, be sure to speak to administrators, teachers, students, and their parents, as each party could give you a unique perspective about the school community.

Be upfront about your finances

Don't conceal financial information, as you may be eligible for financial aid.

Be upfront about your child

Let the school make an informed decision. During the application and interview processes, share as much information with the school as you possibly could. This openness also means that you ought not to coach your child through the interview process. Could more information mean that the school rejects your application? Maybe. But, rejection is not necessarily negative, as it is the school's way of informing you that there is not a fit. You should not want your child to go to a school at which he or she would not excel.

Find out about hidden costs

How many field trips will your child go on? How much are these field trips? What are the school's uniform costs? How expensive are textbooks? Does the school provide lunch? Simply put, most private schools have in-year costs that extend beyond the tuition. You should confirm that the school is still appropriate for your budget.

Consider location

A school that is close to your home may not be a requirement, but would be a nice luxury, especially if you have more than one child. In short, your child will likely be involved in out-of-class aspects of school life. If you drive your kids to school, you might have to make two trips if one of them is at school before or after regular hours.

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Use the list below as a great starting point in your search. Use it to compare locations, tuition rates and other factors. Our Kids also hesitantly offers some Ottawa school rankings based on specific, verifiable factors including admission rate, cost, age and other factors. Best of luck in finding an excellent private school in Ottawa and the Greater Ottawa Area!