Located in the heart of Ottawa’s historic New Edinburgh neighborhood, Fern Hill School offers a welcoming and inclusive environment where young learners from Preschool to Grade 8 thrive. Founded in 1981 and incorporated as a non-profit school with charitable status in 1988, the school maintains a close-knit community feel while cultivating well-rounded, socially conscious students. Led by Principal Deborah Gutierrez, the school brings together families from Ottawa and beyond to create a diverse and supportive setting that inspires curiosity, kindness, and academic achievement.
📚 Comprehensive Academic Programs
Dedicated to academic instruction, the school provides a rich and balanced curriculum tailored to early childhood and elementary education, incorporating English and French instruction including Core and Advanced French. Students engage in a variety of core subjects designed to build strong foundational skills alongside critical thinking and creativity. The educational approach combines play-based learning in preschool, early literacy and numeracy in kindergarten, and an integrated curriculum in grade school. Classrooms also integrate modern technology, such as iPads, smartboards, and computers, to enhance learning experiences.
The curriculum emphasizes personalized instruction with a favorable student-to-teacher ratio, ensuring that each child receives the attention needed to reach their potential. Experienced educators bring dedication to their teaching, nurturing intellectual growth while encouraging students to develop confidence and leadership skills, supported further by a multi-age house system for grades 1 through 8 that fosters a close-knit community and collaborative activities.
🎨 Enriching Arts, Athletics, and Extracurricular Activities
Beyond academics, the school cultivates artistic expression and physical development through a selection of extracurricular options. Students can explore acting, drama, visual arts, graphic design, music, and dance led by skilled professionals. These programs run in structured eight-week courses each semester, giving children the opportunity to discover new talents and interests, alongside special events such as International Week.
Physical education and sports also play a role in the school’s approach through an Extended Gym Program that includes soccer, yoga, tennis, dance, and skating, alongside other physical activities. Additionally, before and after school activities feature options such as dance, jiu-jitsu, chess, and healthy cooking, developing teamwork, perseverance, and physical health.
⏰ Flexible Before and After School Care
Recognizing the needs of busy families, the school provides convenient childcare options before and after regular school hours. Morning care begins at 8:00 a.m., while after-school programs extend until 5:30 p.m., offering supervision, homework time, and engaging activities for students. Families may opt for monthly or quarterly plans, ensuring flexibility and convenience.
💡 Admissions and Tuition
To apply, parents can fill out the online application form and the admissions office will contact them to arrange an appointment and school tour. Requirements include submission of registration documents, health and emergency information, and application fees.
Preschool tuition ranges from $3,550 per year for two half days per week to $11,500 per year for five full days per year. The Junior Kindergarten half-day program is $9,750 per year, while the Junior and Senior Kindergarten full-day program is $14,750 per year. Grade 1 to 6 tuition is $15,750 per year, and Grade 7 to 8 tuition is $16,200 per year. Additional fees apply for Before and After Care, After School Activities, and Lunch Programs.
🌟 Community Values and Accreditation
The school remains deeply committed to its founding mission: to provide young children with an outstanding, well-rounded education focused on developing generous, community-minded people, as well as keen intellects, and to spark a lifelong love of learning by inspiring all students to become actively involved in discovery. Fern Hill School is accredited by the Ontario Federation of Independent Schools and the Ottawa Independent Schools Athletic Association.
Graduates leave prepared with the academic foundation, social skills, and confidence necessary for success in high school and beyond. Through a combination of academics, arts, athletics, and community engagement, students develop into responsible and capable young individuals.
Investing in early childhood education plays a fundamental role in shaping a child’s long-term cognitive, social, and emotional development. During the formative preschool and kindergarten years, structured play and early literacy and numeracy activities help wire the brain for complex problem-solving and critical thinking. When young learners engage in environments that foster curiosity and exploration, they build essential executive function skills, such as self-regulation, attention control, and working memory. Furthermore, positive early educational experiences encourage adaptability and resilience, laying a solid groundwork that supports academic perseverance and lifelong learning as students transition into elementary school and subsequent educational stages.
Establishing a consistent study routine plays an essential role in helping elementary and middle school students build effective lifelong learning habits. When children engage with their coursework and review materials at predictable times each day, they naturally develop strong organizational skills, time management abilities, and personal accountability. Regular homework and revision schedules reduce academic stress by breaking larger assignments into manageable daily tasks, allowing students to absorb concepts more thoroughly rather than relying on last-minute preparation. Furthermore, consistent routines reinforce classroom instruction, strengthen long-term memory retention, and provide a stable framework that balances academic responsibilities with extracurricular pursuits, arts, and physical activities. By cultivating these steady habits early in their academic journey, students transition smoothly through increasingly challenging grade levels with greater confidence and independence.
