Located in the vibrant Lansdowne Park area in the heart of the Glebe neighbourhood of Ottawa, the school offers a dynamic urban setting that encourages students to engage with their community while benefiting from a focused and supportive learning environment. Founded in 2003 and relocating to its current campus in 2015 to meet the region’s demand for a dedicated Montessori high school program for grades 7 to 12, the campus continues to foster a spirit of collaboration and independence. As an independent not-for-profit high school, its close-knit community promotes authentic connections among students, faculty, and families, emphasizing shared values of curiosity, innovation, and lifelong learning.
📚 Academic Excellence and Curriculum
With a curriculum rooted in Montessori principles, this independent high school emphasizes academic curiosity and rigor, nurturing students’ intellectual growth through authentic and meaningful learning experiences. The program integrates hands-on activities, independent work periods, and project-based learning, preparing adolescents not only for academic success but for real-life challenges beyond the classroom. Students explore a range of disciplines including humanities, sciences, and the arts, supported by an interdisciplinary approach that encourages critical thinking and creativity.
Central to the curriculum is the cultivation of self-directed learning, empowering students to take ownership of their education while developing strong organizational and problem-solving skills. Faculty members serve as guides and mentors within small teacher-to-student ratios, creating a prepared environment where adolescents can experience deep, focused engagement in their studies and projects, fully aligned with their individual interests and strengths.
💡 Unique Programs and Experiences
An integral part of the school’s educational philosophy is the Urban Adventure Trip, a student-led overnight excursion outside Ottawa early in the school year. This program combines community building with practical lessons in teamwork, budgeting, and real-world planning. Students are tasked with designing every aspect of the trip—transportation, meals, and activities—while meeting curriculum goals. This immersive experience fosters leadership, responsibility, and creative problem-solving in a supportive setting.
The school also offers an enriching entrepreneurship program, where students collaborate to launch small ventures, such as baking and selling goods. This hands-on activity teaches essential skills in economics, production, and teamwork, all while fostering self-reliance and independence, vital for adolescent development.
Another signature initiative is the culinary program, which encourages students to engage with nutrition through preparing whole, scratch-made meals. Inspired by wilderness experiences where trying new foods is essential, the program challenges students to embrace diverse tastes and healthy habits. Beginning with side dishes and advancing to full meal preparation, this hands-on learning is enriched by food handling workshops and nutritional guidance, nurturing a holistic awareness of wellness.
In addition to these core offerings, students participate in specialized programs such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award program, the Praxis Project capstone academic research paper and journal, Industry Immersion with The Ottawa Education Group, and International Community Service trips including destinations like Costa Rica.
🎨 Sports, Arts, and Extracurricular Activities
Students benefit from a variety of extracurricular offerings that promote physical health, artistic expression, and personal growth. Athletic options include tennis, volleyball, skiing, swimming, golf, soccer, basketball, skating, and dance, catering to a wide range of interests and skill levels. Participation in sports fosters teamwork, resilience, and a balanced lifestyle.
On the arts front, the school provides programs in music, visual arts, dance, media arts, and drama. These creative outlets are essential for developing self-expression and innovative thinking, complementing the school’s academic rigor with opportunities for emotional and social development.
🌟 Leadership and Educational Philosophy
Guided by experienced leadership under the direction of Sarah Wheeler, the school is governed by an all-volunteer Board of Directors as an independent not-for-profit high school. Its mission is to equip every student to achieve their full potential by providing a student-centered education, inspiring individual passions, fostering confidence, independence, and resilience, and developing global citizens prepared for a changing world. The leadership vision emphasizes education as preparation for life, weaving core values such as academic curiosity, authentic learning, and innovation into every aspect of the student experience.
📝 Admissions and Tuition
The admissions process begins with a school tour and a meeting with the Director, followed by submitting an application form with a $250 nonrefundable application fee, a student visit and shadow day, and finally an offer of admission and enrolment contract. For the 2026-2027 school year, tuition is $22,450.00 for e1 (grades 7-8) and $22,470.00 for e2 (grades 9-10) and e3 (grades 11-12), plus a one-time non-refundable admission fee of $250 for new families and a 2.4% surcharge for credit card payments. Financial aid is available through the Beth MacKay Bursary Fund.
✅ Summary: Nurturing Independent, Engaged Learners
Blending Montessori principles with a forward-thinking academic approach, this Ottawa-based high school stands out for its unique combination of rigorous academics, experiential learning, and strong community ties. From student-led trips and entrepreneurial initiatives to comprehensive arts, sports, and international service programs, the school cultivates adaptability, innovation, and personal responsibility. Adolescents are encouraged to explore their passions deeply, develop practical skills, and grow into resilient, engaged citizens ready to contribute thoughtfully to society.
Fostering a natural sense of wonder in adolescents involves creating environments where asking questions is valued just as much as finding answers. When adults encourage young people to pursue their own lines of inquiry, connect classroom concepts to the surrounding community, and explore topics that spark personal interest, learning becomes an active, self-driven journey. Providing opportunities for hands-on investigation, open-ended problem solving, and meaningful real-world experiences allows students to develop intrinsic motivation and a lifelong habit of intellectual exploration.
