Turnbull School Reviews

Turnbull was founded by Mary Ann Turnbull in 1992, though its history in a sense dates back to Turnbull Learning Centre, which she established in 1981. The Centre offered academic services, and Turnbull’s success there lead to the creation of the school. The setting is idyllic —since 1996 it has occupied a parcel of 5.5 acres in the Central Experimental Farm area of Ottawa. The location is within Ottawa, yet retains a rural community feel, which itself is a draw for many families. The space also allows for a focus on environmental education, something that has distinguished the school somewhat and gained recognition in 2007 by the SEEDS Foundation. The school has grown over the years, and is a good size today, allowing for a nice breadth of programming, while at the same time retaining a personal, community feel. Per the initial intentions for the school, values—cooperation, character, and reasoned reflection—inform all the activities of the school. Parental involvement in the life of the school is welcomed, as is consistent, informal communication between families and school administration.