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Trusted by families since 1998.
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OUR KIDS REPORT:

Turnbull School

Grades JK — 8 — Ottawa, ON (Map)
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School Busing:

Turnbull School offers bus transferring. Service options offered are regular rider, door-to-door pickup.

Additional notes: Several students use a private shuttle service run by ActKIDvity and BEAR.

THE OUR KIDS REPORT:
Turnbull School
REPORT CONTENTS
Reviews
Analysis

School overview

  • Grades
    JK — 8
  • Gender
    Coed
  • Class Size
    10 — 18 students
  • Tuition
    $23,550 to 25,950/year
  • Language of instruction
    English
  • Associations
    OFIS
  • Enrolment
    425 day students
  • Curriculum
    Traditional
  • EBROCHURE
    N/A
  • LOCATION
    Ottawa, ON (View address)

The big picture on Turnbull School

We summarized the school ourselves

Turnbull was founded by Mary Ann Turnbull in 1992, guided by a commitment to Caring and Excellence. Its history, in a sense, dates back to the Turnbull Learning Centre, established in 1981. The Centre offered academic services, and Turnbull’s success there led to the creation of the school. The setting is idyllic. Since 1996, it has occupied a 5.5-acre parcel in the Central Experimental Farm area of Ottawa, a National Historic Site that is easily accessible from all parts of the city. The location is within Ottawa, yet retains a rural community feel, which itself is a draw for many families. The school has grown over the years and is a good size today, allowing for a nice breadth of programming while retaining a personal, community feel. As initially intended, the school's values—cooperation, character, and reasoned reflection—inform all its activities, fostering a safe, nurturing, and welcoming environment for students and their families. Parental involvement in the school's life is welcomed, as is consistent and informal communication between families and school administration.

We questioned the school administration

1. Who are you, as a school?

"Turnbull School is dedicated to academic excellence in a caring environment. Students benefit from highly qualified teachers, small class sizes, daily physical education, organization and study skills, enhanced French, award winning science, computer technology & robotics, dynamic music, visual arts and drama programs, intramural and extra-curricular sports, clubs and special events, in a modern facility. Our leadership and character development programs enhance the school culture of excellence and caring."

  • Excellent academic programming in an environment of caring
  • Warm and modern facility on over 5 acres of land for children to learn, play and grow
  • Small class sizes with highly specialized and multi-talented teachers
  • Enhanced French, with streamed classes at the Junior and Senior levels
  • Instrumental music program, including an extra-curricular, Gold level Concert Band (MusicFest)
  • Drama Program, including a large-scale production each year with over 75 students involved
  • New Technolgy Lab, with a 3D printer and VEX Robotics program
  • Double gymnasium for daily physical education, intramurals and team sports
  • Teachers who value regular open communication between school and home
  • A closely knit community where everyone feels welcome, safe and valued

2. What do you do differently and uniquely well?

At Turnbull School, we focus on a well-rounded approach where children are not just exposed to a rigorous academic program, but also a strong focus to character development, study skills, arts and music, and athletics. We truly get to know our families and have a strong sense of community and belonging.

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

With our focus on providing a strong academic foundation, we do not have the resources to support serious academic and behavioural concerns. As a result, we are unable to accept applications for students with these profiles.

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

In 1996, Turnbull School moved from office space to its original, newly constructed and permanent home. In 2003, in order to meet growing demand and improve programming, the senior school was constructed which included a full-size, double gymnasium, science lab, and visual arts room. In the fall of 2019, a modern and fully equipped music hall was added to the school, which also included the renovation and updating of designated drama and visual arts rooms. More recently, in 2025, a STEM lab was added to the senior building for our coding and robotics program.

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

Well-rounded children with an open mind and willingness to learn, with average to above average learning profiles do very well at Turnbull School.

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

We would advise families who have children with serious learning needs and/or behavioural issues to explore other school options.

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

Over the years, parents have shared with us that they selected our school based on reputation, reliability, communication with families, and a warm, welcoming environment of caring and excellence.

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

Turnbull School is a highly regarded and a sought-after elementary school. Children are excited to come each day, and they return home happy.

9. What aspect of your school is underappreciated?

Families come to Turnbull School for an excellent education; however, during their time with us, they are exposed to so much more beyond the curriculum. When a Turnbull student leaves us, that child enters the world having gained new experiences and opportunities that will last a lifetime.

10. What might families find surprising about your school?

Families are always impressed with the true sense of community, as well as the amount of care and communication they receive from our faculty.

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

At Turnbull School, we are consistently reviewing and updating our resources and programming. In particular, we are very excited about our new Tech Lab and technology program.

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

While we do not foresee any significant changes to our current structure, we remain committed to providing current and relevant curriculum and experiences for our students. We are also committed to adhering to the values and guiding principles that have shaped our school over the years.


We got insight from alumni, parents, and students

Turnbull School: Parent Review from Kirsty Olivier

Watch our parent interview with Kirsty Olivier to get the inside scoop on what it’s like to have a child attend Turnbull School.
Turnbull School, Parent Video Review from Kirsty Olivier

Insider community voices

 

Dig deeper into Turnbull School

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