REVIEW OF Phoenix Private Academy BY parent, David Salamanca

(5) Student Experience

Our child is in his third year at Phoenix Private Academy (PPA). We spent quite a bit of time doing research regarding institutions for special children in Ottawa. We were disappointed with the special needs programme in our public school in terms of actual goals of learning for the children and thought that teachers intended well but lacked the specialized skills and training to make a difference in children's lives. We narrowed down our list of schools based on teacher-student ratio, facilities, and available reviews, and visited 2 schools and ultimately chose PPA. Our child has been at PPA for 3 years, during which he has flourished as a result of an environment that truly cares about the advancement of each of their students. We love their rigorous ABA approach that provides us with measurable criteria of advancement in key areas of knowledge and development. Our child evolved from being a child that wouldn't talk much and was not able to follow instructions, to a child who is actually learning in class and can focus. At Phoenix Private Academy, we find our son gets all the help he needs and makes best use of the most productive hours of his day. We highly recommend Phoenix Private Academy for children that need an individualized approach to flourish. There are two major differentiators of Phoenix beyond the core criteria above (ABA, quality of the teachers, special needs education): - An experienced school staff guides parents through the crucial OAP determination of needs process, and that has been really helpful to our family. - Children go to the swimming pool on Fridays (all year round!). It is a saltwater pool (a rarity), and it is adjacent to the school premises. Most importantly, we know our son loves school because whenever the name of the teacher at his old school comes up, he reminds us that he'd rather be at Phoenix!

Why Phoenix Private Academy?

Great facilities: Large and bright classrooms. A saltwater pool that students go to every Friday. Great teachers and staff: Caring, competent and above all, experienced in children with special needs.

Expectations vs. Reality

The school has exceeded our expectations: - Teachers are devoted to the children and dedicated to their growth. - Classrooms are amongst the cleanest and most inspiring we have seen: didactic posters, great setup.

Your Advice

I'd suggest visiting schools yourself because, on paper, many schools appear similar, but when we visited another school, our choice of Phoenix was very clear to us. Unfortunately, not every school is as professionally run as Phoenix. Also, if you have been told you are fortunate enough to be soon eligible for OAP, speak to Phoenix even if your choice of school is not clear yet, because informing yourself is critical before you start getting your intake calls with OAP.

(5) School Leadership

School administration is a pleasure to interact with. They have been supportive and typically respond within minutes or an hour of writing. Leadership at the school has also been great and very much proactive about a few things that made a huge difference in the life of my child, such as recommendations for medical intervention when needed. I really appreciate that whenever there have been challenges, we are promptly informed about what happened and what was done to remediate issues and prevent them from recurring.

(5) Teaching

Teachers, at our request, have sent homework to complement my child's learning in key areas such as math and language. They write us a detailed summary of my child's day in the agenda. We love this! Teachers and therapists are clearly knowledgeable not only about their subject matter but also about our child's development, and providing us with a level of feedback that has been instrumental in helping our child develop further at home. My child's teachers have been nothing short of outstanding, with a level of loving discipline that my child needed in the class setting so he wouldn't get away with being distracting to himself and others. My child has also greatly benefited from tutoring after-hours with one of the teachers, as that has allowed him to advance at a faster pace.

(5) Academics

Phoenix is clearly committed to an ABA curriculum, which they rigorously follow and implement consistently across settings. I have seen their assessment worksheets for our child and how meticulous they are in measuring advancement, breaking skills down into small, concrete steps that make progress visible and motivating. One of the strengths of the school is providing parents with regular feedback on student advancement, not only through daily communication notes but also via the monthly clinical supervision meeting. These meetings offer a structured opportunity to review data, discuss which goals are being met, and identify any areas where a change of strategy or new objective might be needed. We find this ongoing dialogue has been instrumental in aligning school and home goals to create a more integrated, coherent learning approach for our child, so we all pull in the same direction.

(5) Extracurriculars

They definitely excel at extracurriculars. From the weekly outing to the saltwater pool on the premises, to visits to museums, as well as optional piano lessons and Boy and Girl Scouts. They also have fun events when they invite parents to the school to see projects students have created, and I have seen the pride the children have in demonstrating their skills and presentations they prepared.

(5) Students

Over the three years our child has been at Phoenix Private Academy, enrollment has remained stable with only slight growth, which speaks to their consistent quality and reputation among families. The overall spirit at the school has always been upbeat and positive, fueled by a teaching staff that strikes the perfect balance of seasoned experience and youthful energy—keeping enthusiasm high while modelling patience and possibility for the kids every day. What stands out most is how genuinely happy the children seem. During morning drop-offs at the playground, I've watched authentic friendships blossom naturally, with students showing real kindness, passion for learning, and respect—not just for each other, but for their teachers too. This caring community vibe makes Phoenix feel like a true second home, where every child thrives socially and emotionally alongside their academic growth.

(5) School Life

If there's one aspect beyond academics where Phoenix Private Academy truly excels, it's the vibrant school life I've witnessed firsthand through daily drop-offs, pickups, and special events. The energy is palpable—kids buzzing with excitement, forming bonds, and engaging in activities that make learning feel like play. Phoenix nails the extras, especially the weekly Friday swims in the adjacent salt-water pool, a rare treat year-round that builds confidence, coordination, and pure joy in the water—something few schools can match. There's no higher praise than my child begging to go to school on weekends or insisting he'd pick Phoenix over his old one every time. I know why: his teachers get that he's reward-driven, so they've crafted a personalized system with daily check-ins that celebrate his efforts. These moments are his daily highlight, fueling persistence toward learning goals and making hard work feel worthwhile.

(4.5) Community

Phoenix Private Academy makes genuine efforts to welcome parents into the school community, offering opportunities like events, drop-off interactions, and updates that help us feel connected and involved. We've appreciated these touches, from casual playground chats with other families to structured gatherings that foster a sense of shared purpose among parents supporting kids with similar needs. That said, the special needs focus of the school brings unique challenges to deeper involvement. Many parents, like us, juggle constant supervision and care for our children outside school hours—managing therapies, routines, and daily demands—which can limit time for volunteering or extended on-site participation. It's a realistic balance: the school creates doors for engagement without expecting more than families can realistically give, respecting our priorities while keeping us in the loop on our child's world. This approach feels supportive rather than demanding.

(5) School Location

Very convenient and central in Ottawa. Even if we live in the West End (Kanata) and the school is closer to downtown, we find getting there and back has been generally reasonable, even during the winter months. The school facilities are great, with well-maintained grounds and a large school yard with play structures. The school is located in a quiet neighborhood.

(5) Admissions

It has been 3+ years since we went through the admissions process, so some things have probably changed, but nothing struck us as difficult or unnecessary. The form requires a certain level of detail, as expected with a special needs institution, but we were very happy with the support we got from the school staff and found them to be accommodating and welcoming. Not only were they welcoming during the admissions process, but they are very receptive and devoted throughout the school year. In my opinion, that consistent good experience carries more weight than when school officials are trying to make that first positive impression.