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OUR KIDS REPORT:

Ashbury College

Grades 3 — 12 — Ottawa, ON (Map)
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School Busing:

Ashbury College offers bus transferring. Service options offered are regular rider, regular rider AM only, regular rider PM only, occasional rider.

The regions Ashbury College offers busing from are:

THE OUR KIDS REPORT:
Ashbury College
REPORT CONTENTS
Reviews
Analysis

School overview

  • LOCATION
    Ottawa, ON (View address)

Summer Operations

Ashbury College operates summer camps and programs. Click here to learn about Ashbury College Summer Programs.


The big picture on Ashbury College

We wrote a book reviewing the school

The 50-page review of Ashbury College is part of our series of in-depth accounts of Canada's leading private schools. It provides a unique and objective perspective on the school's academics, programs, culture, and community.

Read our in-depth review

We questioned the school administration

1. Who are you, as a school?

"Established in 1891, Ashbury College is an IB all-gender school, recognized as one of Canada’s top day and boarding schools for Grades 3–12. Our diverse student body, from over 60 countries, benefits from rigorous academics, 70+ co-curricular activities, a 100% university placement rate, and an average class size of 17. Ashbury’s mission is to inspire students to be intellectually curious, compassionate, and responsible global citizens in a dynamic learning environment."

  • IB Diploma, since 1976
  • 100% university placement
  • 85% of students admitted to first choice university
  • $2 million awarded annually in university scholarships
  • Over 60 countries represented
  • Average class size: 17
  • Over 70 co-curricular activities
  • Coeducational
  • Boarding population: 110
  • Enrollment: 750

2. What do you do differently and uniquely well?

Academic excellence is the hallmark of Ashbury College, where innovative learning spaces and exceptional faculty and staff create unparalleled educational opportunities. Beyond the classroom, Ashbury offers boundless opportunities through a broad range of 70+ co-curricular activities, athletics, and artistic endeavours, including music, visual, and performing arts.

Classroom learning is further enriched by experiential opportunities such as outdoor education, community service and outreach, and our Summer Internship Program, which allows students to explore various career paths. Ashbury is also actively involved in the Round Square Program, offering students the chance to participate in their International Exchange Program. Additionally, we proudly offer the Duke of Edinburgh Award program.

3. What tradeoffs has your school made to serve families in this way?

Historically, Ashbury was an Anglican school with a stunning stained-glass windowed chapel at its heart. Today, we proudly define ourselves as an inclusive community where every student feels a sense of belonging regardless of religious or cultural background. We celebrate individual differences and embrace diversity as one of our greatest strengths.

Once an all-boys institution, Ashbury has evolved into an all-gender school, boasting a nearly equal representation of male and female-identifying students. We firmly believe our diverse student body enriches our community and enhances everyone's educational experience.

4. What key junctures in your school's history have most shaped its present?

Ashbury College, founded in 1891 by George Penrose Woollcombe, began as a three-room boys' school on Wellington Street, Ottawa. It moved to Argyle Street in 1800 and its current 13-acre Rockcliffe Park location in 1910. The school was expanded in 1972 to accommodate over 300 students. In the years since, campus facilities have expanded to include, a gymnasium (1985), Napier Wing for the Junior School, theatre, computer lab (1994), Heather Gillin Residence for girls (1999), Maclaren Dining Hall, a double gymnasium, additional classrooms (2004), Matthews Boarding House for boys (2009), the Creative Learning Centre (2014), Maple Boarding House, Chris and Mary Taggart Fitness Centre (2016), and The Centre for Science and Innovation (2019).

Key milestones include the IB Programme (1974), co-education in the Senior School (1982), and Junior School (2010).

5. What type of student is a good fit for your school?

To truly experience the Ashbury advantage, a student must embody curiosity, compassion, and a sense of global responsibility. Our dynamic learning environment is brimming with opportunities designed to inspire those who seek inspiration, educate those eager to learn, and guide everyone toward their unique path to success. We stand by our motto—Probitas, Virtus, Comitas—which translates to honesty, courage, and kindness. Students who embrace these values will find that an Ashbury education offers tremendous benefits, fostering personal growth and academic excellence.

6. Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing your school?

Families that do not respect individual and cultural differences may find it challenging to integrate into a school community that includes students from over 60 countries worldwide. However, any family committed to quality education and a passion for learning will be warmly welcomed at Ashbury.

While our campus presents some challenges for students with physical disabilities, we strive to support individual learning styles. It's important to note that we do not offer extensive remedial academic support.

7. To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?

Ashbury takes pride in its 100% IB Certificate completion rate and outstanding university placement record. Our graduates go on to attend top-tier institutions across Canada, the United States, and around the world. An education at Ashbury opens doors to a bright and promising future for our students.

8. How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?

Ashbury is recognized by the local Ottawa community as a prestigious institution, offering students access to exceptional facilities and opportunities that surpass those available in the public school system. The diplomatic community in Ottawa views Ashbury as an internationally oriented school that supports culturally diverse students. Globally, families and educational agents regard Ashbury as a safe and welcoming community where children can thrive academically and personally as they pursue their studies.

9. What aspect of your school is underappreciated?

The location of Ashbury College in the heart of the Nation's Capital, Ottawa, provides a number of unique opportunities for our students including access to a multitude of museums, galleries, and learning centres such as the Global Centre for Pluralism. Ottawa is surrounded by a variety of greenspaces in which to learn and play. Ashbury actively engages our students with the greater Ottawa community through our charitable activities and our ongoing relationship with our local Indigenous partners.

10. What might families find surprising about your school?

Given our rich history, many families are surprised to see our state-of-the-art education spaces including our Design Technology and Science labs, Arts studios and Music facilities, and Library and Learning Commons. Your child will have access to vibrant, modern learning facilities that are truly conducive to teaching innovation and learning.

11. What improvements or changes has your school made recently?

At Ashbury, our commitment to pluralism and belonging has driven significant changes in both policy and facilities. We have updated our school uniform and personal appearance policies to allow students greater freedom in expressing their identities. Students can now choose the uniform elements that best represent their gender, and we have removed restrictions on personal aesthetics.

In terms of facilities, we have made substantial structural improvements to our locker spaces, team areas, change rooms, and bathrooms to foster a more equitable and inclusive environment. Additionally, we have introduced a prayer and reflection room for students and staff, providing a dedicated space for contemplation and spiritual practice.

We have also reimagined our Student Success and Wellness program, enhancing both our staffing and the health and wellness spaces within the school. These changes reflect our dedication to creating a supportive and inclusive community for all.

12. How will your school change in the next 5 years?

Ashbury's leadership is actively developing a new five-year strategic plan to steer our programmatic, operational, facilities development, and philanthropic initiatives. We anticipate sharing the details of this plan by the spring/summer of 2025.

At this stage, we can confirm that key educational facilities will be a focus of development, including a state-of-the-art digital production space and enhanced athletics facilities. We look forward to providing more information as soon as it becomes available.


We got insight from alumni, parents, and students

Ashbury College: Parent Review from Alexandra Howard

Gr. 7 to Gr. 9 (current), Gr. 7 to Gr. 12 (current) — Watch our parent interview with Alexandra Howard to get the inside scoop on what it’s like to have a child attend Ashbury College.
Ashbury College, Parent Video Review from Alexandra Howard

Roundtable Q&A (2021)

Watch our Ashbury College Q&A discussion with Sahannah (Student), Cameron (Alum), Nimrose (Parent) to gain fresh insight into the school’s culture, values, and strengths.
Parent and Student Q&A Roundtable with Private Schools and Educational Consultants

Ashbury College: Alumni Review from Jasmine Mussani

Watch our alum interview with Jasmine Mussani to learn about the unique experience of attending Ashbury College.
Ashbury College, Alumnus Video Review from Jasmine Mussani

Parent, Julie Coulson Fine (2025)

(5)

Gr. 9 (current) — She is never bored! My sons went to public high schools and were often bored, but Ashbury offers so many opportunities for my daughter to excel. She’s part of the Media Club, tried basketball for the first time, and loves her classmates. She expected them to be overly serious academic types, but instead she found kids who work hard and also have fun doing the same things she enjoys. She’s not thrilled about the uniform, but it does make life easier as there is no stress about what to wear each day. My daughter loves most of her teachers and has formed genuine connections with some of them, which I think is harder to do in public schools, given the larger class sizes. She especially appreciates having lunch provided every day, no need to pack or leave campus to find food. I had to strongly encourage her to enroll in Grade 9, but now she absolutely loves Ashbury. Everything has exceeded her expectations. Even simple things, air conditioning, a beautiful campus, a school nurse, pianos available to play, make it, in my opinion, the best school experience in Ottawa. Ashbury has also made real progress on inclusion and diversity, creating a welcoming environment for students and staff of all backgrounds, abilities, and orientations, which reflects our modern Canadian society. As an alumna who attended in the 1980s, when Ashbury made the excellent decision to go co-ed, I’m thrilled to see the school continue to improve each year. As a parent, I’m extremely satisfied with my daughter’s high school experience. I also went to Elmwood, another CAIS school in Ottawa, and while it’s a good school, I believe a girls-only environment feels outdated today. In my view, young men and women should learn to collaborate, and keeping them apart in high school is unnecessary.

Parent, Scott Procter (2025)

(4.8)

Gr. 4 to Gr. 12,Gr. 4 (current) — Our children's experience at Ashbury has been fantastic. From their first days in the Junior school, they were excited about all aspects of school life. At Ashbury, our children met strangers who immediately became friends and peers. When objectives were successfully met, teachers recognized and reinforced our children, to their great satisfaction. The teachers and administrators at Ashbury genuinely know and care for the students, so we have felt very comfortable dropping them off each day. More importantly, believe it or not, on many occasions, our children woke early and hurried us, their parents, so that they could get to school more quickly. Year after year, our children have matured, become kinder, collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, insightful, and have now burgeoned into responsible young adults. Our kids have thoroughly enjoyed their time at Ashbury. They, and we, regret only that this time is winding down.

Alumnus, Artem Kalinin ('24) (2025)

(5)

Gr. 11 to Gr. 12 — Ashbury College has been a formative chapter of my life and educational journey. When I look back at this time, I find myself deeply grateful for the experience I had there. I still recall my first day in boarding—hectic, new, strange, and full of amazing encounters. From my first day at Ashbury, I felt like a part of a larger community, bound by common living (in the case of boarding), learning, sports, and extracurriculars. Everyone I knew during my studentship found their good application at school and university. Among the prime things that captured my imagination when I first got to Ashbury was the level of motivation that my peers had. At Ashbury, everyone is reaching towards new heights, and yet I never saw those aspirations grow into rivalries or competition. Everyone tried their best at finding who they were and who they were going to become. The teachers were always by our side, supporting us on that journey. I still recall fondly the IB Higher Level Maths classes I had in grade 12. Although they are among the most complex subjects a student can take, everyone genuinely enjoyed the 'pain' we shared together (pun in French intended). I was an active teen—Ashbury provided me with limitless avenues to explore my interests: investment club, creative writing, TEDx, student councils, and over a dozen sports that catered to all the interests of a contented heart. Each sport, club, or council was as much about engagement as it was about mentorship, recreation, and meaningful preparation for life beyond school. I know for a fact that consistent effort and enough determination lead to outstanding results at Ashbury, thanks to the community it fosters. One of the oddly endearing moments of my time here was the hours spent in Tuesday Chapel, sharing global cultural insights, student stories, Christmas carols, and announcements. As a student, it may seem quite pointless, but over time, it fosters a timeless, nurturing ground for meaningful reflection. And of course, how could I forget the community celebrations—from Winter Carnival to SpringFest and Halloween Ball to Monte Carlo Social Night? Each moment is quite special in my memory, especially those spent in boarding school. Beyond quality education that equips you to take on university not only confidently but successfully, Ashbury creates lasting friendships. I have been to a few alumni reunions, and I can say that, after graduation, students keep in touch, reach out, and stay connected. I’ve spent many meaningful hours talking to my teachers and supervisors, friends, and counsellors, all of whom have helped me land my current position. I am immeasurably grateful to all those people for helping me find my path ahead. Enrolling at Ashbury, I would expect nothing less than the best years of childhood and adolescence, filled with meaning, support, and firm preparation for the multifaceted challenges of life, whether those are academic training, cultural awareness, or finding their artistic calling.

Alumnus, Toshka Beshara ('21) (2025)

(4.8)

Gr. 2 to Gr. 12 — Ashbury really was a place where I could be more than just “the athlete” or “the student.” I was training at a high level in kayaking, but the school never made me feel like I had to choose between sport and academics. Teachers like Ms. MacGregor and Mr. Crerar would quietly adapt deadlines or arrange early morning study sessions before I left for competitions. The small gestures, like dorm friends leaving me good-luck notes before a race, are what I remember most. If I could change anything, it would be to create more structured peer-to-peer mentoring for students balancing intense commitments. Ashbury prepared me not only for university but also for the life of balancing priorities. New students should expect to be challenged but also cared for; there’s a real willingness here to meet you where you are.

Alumnus, Karl Hunger ('18) (2025)

(4.9)

Gr. 10 to Gr. 12 — Looking back, Ashbury was a place that taught me as much about people as it did about academics. The IB Bilingual Diploma pushed me hard, but it was the responsibilities as Prefect, Alexander House Captain, and rugby captain that really shaped me. Leading 100+ students in house competitions wasn’t about winning only, but it was also about building trust and spirit. On the rugby field, the lessons were similar; supporting your teammates off the pitch mattered just as much as scoring on it. What I liked best was how the school allowed students to step into leadership roles and truly own them. If I could change anything, I’d say more cross-house events could have made the community even tighter. Ashbury prepared me for university and life by teaching discipline, collaboration, and how to stay grounded under pressure.

Alumnus, James Goldberg ('23) (2025)

(4.8)

Gr. 8 to Gr. 12 — Ashbury was a place where I felt both pushed and supported in equal measure. What stands out most is the balance between structure and independence, something that made a big difference in preparing me for Cornell. I was someone who always had a strong interest in engineering and tech, and Ashbury gave me the space and resources to explore that without boxing me in. I could be the robotics guy and run student council events, all in the same week. The thing I liked best was probably how accessible the teachers were. I had mentors who’d sit with me during lunch to go over project ideas or help me find competitions to enter. They treated my curiosity seriously. If I could change anything, maybe more space for hands-on STEM experimentation would’ve helped. Labs were great, but as someone who likes to tinker, I wanted more unsupervised design time. Ashbury definitely prepared me for the next step, especially in how to manage workload and advocate for myself. Prospective students should expect to be held to high expectations but not left to figure it all out alone. That mix of rigour and relationship is rare.

Alumnus, Kristi Godkin ('19) (2025)

(4.5)

Gr. 1 to Gr. 12 — I spent my school years at Ashbury College with a strong sense of curiosity and opportunity. What stands out most is the blend of tradition and forward thinking that shaped everything, also academic rigour balanced with space to explore. My best memories include student-led initiatives, late-night brainstorming in common rooms, and inspiring field trips to Ottawa. The community pushed us to grow into thinkers, leaders, and teammates. If I could change anything, I’d push myself earlier into leadership roles and take more creative risks. Ashbury gives space for that if you take it. Yes, the school prepared me well for what came next and particularly through its IB program, small classes, and culture of initiative. Prospective students should expect structure, thoughtful challenge, and genuine encouragement to find their own voice. You are supported, but expected to show up for yourself, and that balance makes all the difference.
See all reviews (10 total)

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