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At The Element High School in Ottawa, that question shapes an education for students in Grades 7 to 12. Academic challenge goes hand in hand with experiences that help adolescents understand themselves, contribute to their community, and see a purpose in what they learn.

The goal is to develop students who have the confidence to make decisions, the independence to manage responsibilities, and the curiosity to keep learning.

Rooted in Montessori education and connected to OMS Montessori, the not-for-profit school brings together around 100 students in Ottawa’s Glebe neighbourhood. Its guiding principle is simple: education should prepare students for life.

Teaching the student, not just the curriculum

Adolescents want meaningful work, a sense of belonging, and opportunities to make their own decisions. The Element builds its approach around those needs.

“Our program is designed around who adolescents are, what motivates them, and what they need to thrive. When students find purpose in their work and feel known and supported, they can develop the confidence and independence to do their best. That is at the heart of our Montessori approach.”

— Carrie Whalen, Head of School (proposed quote for approval)

Interests that are considered to be extracurriculars elsewhere, such as art, debate or current affairs, are a part of students’ daily coursework. As the school puts it, “the extracurricular becomes the curricular.”

Small classes give teachers room to respond to individual strengths, interests, and challenges. Every student is paired with their own Faculty Advisor, who meets with them regularly, mentors them, and keeps parents informed of their progress.

Students practise planning their work, making decisions, and following through, with guidance that evolves as their independence grows.

Academic rigour with room to explore

The Element meets and exceeds the Ontario curriculum requirements. Interdisciplinary and problem based learning encourages students to connect ideas across subjects and apply their knowledge to complex questions.

Most Element students graduate as Ontario Scholars, earning at least 80 per cent in their top six Grade 12 courses.

In their final year, students undertake a Praxis Project, an interdisciplinary research project on a topic they choose. Supported by an expert in their chosen field, students attend research and writing workshops at Carleton University.. Their academic papers are published in the school’s annual Praxis Journal. It is university-level work, completed before students ever arrive on campus.

The community becomes the classroom

The school’s Lansdowne Park location puts libraries, universities, museums, galleries, and government institutions within reach.

The most evident expression of the school’s philosophy is the Authentic World of Learning (A.W.O.L.) program. Every Wednesday afternoon is dedicated to learning beyond the classroom. In Grades 9 and 10, students participate in community service, fieldwork, cultural visits, and post-secondary tours, connecting coursework with people, places, and real-world questions and earn the Duke of Edinburgh bronze award.

Travel is built into every stage. Students in Grades 7 and 8 begin the year with Odyssey, a wilderness trip that connects them with the land and Indigenous peoples. In Grades 9 and 10, students plan and run an overnight Urban Adventure outside Ottawa.

In Grade 11 and 12, students have the opportunity to undertake an International Urban Adventure Trip. With faculty support, they plan an international trip to a destination of their choosing, managing the budget, itinerary, travel, and safety considerations. Preparation includes examining the global climate, history and geography of the location.

Additionally, senior students undertake an international community service project. Working with a local host in Costa Rica students spend 3 days living in the Costa Rican jungle and learning about the flora, fauna and culture from the locals. The second half of the trip has students doing a service project that is of benefit to the local community. Previous tasks have included refurbishment of desk and chairs for a school in an underserved area as well as reforestation work in the Costa Rican jungle. This experience enables students to experience the benefits of international travel and the opportunity to give back in a meaningful way to a community in need. Students run various fundraising businesses throughout the year to offset the cost of the trip and to develop their entrepreneurial and financial literacy skills.

Learning how to navigate life

Everyday responsibilities become learning opportunities. Students plan, shop for, cook, and serve meals in the school’s commercial kitchen. Through entrepreneurship, student groups create and run small businesses.

Together, these experiences help students discover their strengths and put knowledge into action.

For families seeking a rigorous, individualized education that combines academic ambition with personal growth, a guided tour offers an opportunity to see how The Element could fit their teenager.

Book a visit at elementhighschool.com.