Top-rated Kanata schools: St. Gabriel Catholic (9.9/10), W. Erskine Johnston (9.7), Stephen Leacock (9.4) and Kanata Highlands (9.0) lead Kanata’s elementary schools, and Earl of March (8.6) leads its high schools, in the Fraser Institute’s latest report cards. Your child’s designated school depends on your address, so confirm it with the OCDSB school locator or the OCSB school locator before you buy.
Kanata is served by more than 30 schools across four boards — English public (OCDSB), English Catholic (OCSB), French public (CEPEO), and French Catholic (CECCE) — plus several private and Montessori options, making it one of Ottawa’s strongest communities for education. Highly rated public elementary schools such as Stephen Leacock (Fraser Institute 9.4/10) and W. Erskine Johnston (9.7/10), well-regarded secondary schools including Earl of March and A.Y. Jackson, and Catholic high schools All Saints and Holy Trinity anchor the community.
Because Ontario assigns students to schools by catchment, the address a family buys often determines which school their child attends — which is why school zones and home buying go hand in hand in Kanata. This guide lists every Kanata school by board and level, with grades, ratings, and the catchment detail families need before they buy.
Kanata school boards
Four boards operate in and around Kanata, giving families public, Catholic, and French-language choices at both the elementary and secondary levels:
English public — Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB), the largest board serving Kanata, with French immersion at many schools.
English Catholic — Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB).
French public — Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario (CEPEO).
French Catholic — Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est (CECCE).
Each board sets its own catchment boundaries, so a single address can fall into different zones by board and program. Provincial results are published by EQAO, and independent ratings by the Fraser Institute.
Top-rated schools in Kanata
Based on Fraser Institute ratings, several Kanata public schools rank among the strongest in Ottawa. The table below is a quick reference; complete lists by board follow.
| School | Level | Board | Fraser | Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School | Elementary | OCSB | 9.9/10 | Kanata North |
| W. Erskine Johnston Public School | Elementary | OCDSB | 9.7/10 | Beaverbrook |
| Stephen Leacock Public School | Elementary | OCDSB | 9.4/10 | Beaverbrook |
| Kanata Highlands Public School | Elementary | OCDSB | 9.0/10 | Kanata North |
| Earl of March Secondary School | Secondary (7–12) | OCDSB | 8.6/10 | Beaverbrook |
| St. Anne Elementary | Elementary | OCSB | 8.5/10 | Stonehaven |
| All Saints Catholic High School | Secondary (7–12) | OCSB | 7.9/10 | Kanata Lakes |
Fraser Institute ratings and EQAO results change yearly — confirm the current figures before relying on a specific score.
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Public elementary schools in Kanata (OCDSB)
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board runs the most schools in Kanata, with English-language education and French immersion widely available. Kanata’s OCDSB elementary schools:
| School | Grades | Fraser | Address | Phone | Programs & notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen Leacock Public School | JK–6 | 9.4/10 | 25 Leacock Dr | 613-592-2261 | English/Core French & Early French Immersion; extended day; full-day kindergarten |
| W. Erskine Johnston Public School | JK–6 | 9.7/10 | 50 Varley Dr | 613-271-9776 | English/Core French, Early & Middle French Immersion; ESL support |
| Katimavik Elementary School | 4–8 | Not in latest report | 64 Chimo Dr | 613-592-5462 | English/Core French & Early French Immersion; run club, band, skate club |
| Roland Michener Public School | JK–6 | 7.7/10 | 100 Penfield Dr | 613-592-2126 | English/Core French & Early French Immersion; built 1970 |
| Jack Donohue Public School | JK–8 | 6.5/10 | 101 Penrith St | 613-271-9776 | English plus 18 French Immersion classes; instrumental music; extended day (gr 1–6) |
| W.O. Mitchell Elementary School | JK–8 | 7.7/10 | 80 Steeplechase Dr | 613-271-1806 | Early French Immersion; sports & music; annual W.O.M. Festival |
| Roch Carrier Elementary School | JK–6 | 8.4/10 | 401 Stonehaven Dr | 613-254-8400 | ~60% in Early French Immersion; 40+ languages spoken |
| South March Public School | JK–6 | 7.0/10 | 1032 Klondike Rd | 613-595-0543 | Core French & Early French Immersion; specialized Autism program; opened 2009 |
| John Young Elementary School | JK–6 | 5.8/10 | 5 Morton Dr | 613-836-5987 | Early French Immersion; Gifted program; Behaviour Intervention & ESL |
| Glen Cairn Public School | 7–8 | Not in latest report | 182 Morrena Rd | 613-836-2342 | Early & Middle French Immersion; centre of excellence in math, science, tech & arts |
| Bridlewood Community Elementary School | JK–6 | 6.1/10 | 63 Bluegrass Dr | 613-591-3683 | English/Core French & Early French Immersion; band, chess, Scrabble |
| Castlefrank Elementary School | JK–3 | Not in latest report | 55 McCurdy Dr | 613-592-8071 | Early French Immersion (about two-thirds of students); choir, yoga |
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Public secondary schools in Kanata (OCDSB)
At the secondary level, the OCDSB serves Kanata families through two long-established schools, plus West Carleton Secondary in nearby Dunrobin for some rural and north-end families:
| School | Grades | Fraser | Address | Phone | Programs & notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Earl of March Secondary School | 7–12 | 8.6/10 | 4 The Parkway | 613-592-3361 | ~1,100 students; French Immersion; Advanced Placement; student success program |
| A.Y. Jackson Secondary School | 9–12 | 7.8/10 | 150 Abbeyhill Dr | 613-836-2527 | Core French, French Immersion & Extended French; Spanish; OCDSB International Certificate |
| West Carleton Secondary School (Dunrobin) | 9–12 | 8.3/10 | 3088 Dunrobin Rd, Dunrobin | 613-832-2773 | ~1,200 students; French Immersion; 107-acre campus. Located in Dunrobin; serves some west-end/rural families |
Catholic elementary schools in Kanata (OCSB)
The Ottawa Catholic School Board provides English-language Catholic education across Kanata. Its elementary schools all offer French immersion, extended French, and core French, along with extended-day childcare for ages 4–12 and a range of clubs and sports:
| School | Grades | Fraser | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Anne Elementary | JK–6 | 8.5/10 | 500 Stonehaven Dr | 613-271-0308 |
| Georges Vanier Catholic Elementary School | JK–6 | 6.1/10 | 40 Varley Dr | 613-592-4371 |
| St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School | JK–6 | 9.9/10 | 400 Keyrock Dr | 613-271-6181 |
| St. Isidore Catholic Elementary School | JK–6 | 7.6/10 | 1105 March Rd | 613-592-1798 |
| Holy Redeemer Catholic School | JK–6 | 6.5/10 | 75 McCurdy Dr | 613-591-3256 |
| St. Martin de Porres Elementary School | JK–6 | 6.6/10 | 20 McKitrick Dr | 613-836-4754 |
Catholic secondary schools in Kanata (OCSB)
| School | Grades | Fraser | Address | Phone | Programs & notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Saints Catholic High School | 7–12 | 7.9/10 | 5115 Kanata Ave | 613-271-4254 | French Immersion; two gyms, four computer labs, seven science labs; welcomes many faiths |
| Holy Trinity Catholic High School | 7–12 | 7.3/10 | 180 Katimavik Rd | 613-591-9955 | Core French & French Immersion; strong emphasis on clubs and faith life |
French-language schools in Kanata
Families seeking French-first education — distinct from French immersion within the English boards — have both public (CEPEO) and Catholic (CECCE) options:
| School | Board | Grades | Fraser | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| École élémentaire publique Kanata | French public (CEPEO) | JK–8 | Not in latest report | 1385 Halton Terrace | 613-270-1043 |
| Maurice-Lapointe | French public (CEPEO) | JK–12 | 7.0/10 (elementary), 6.8/10 (secondary) | 17 Bridgestone Dr | 613-591-5384 |
| Élisabeth-Bruyère École catholique | French Catholic (CECCE) | JK–6 | 6.3/10 | 100 Stonehaven Dr | 613-521-0176 |
| Roger-Saint-Denis Catholic Elementary | French Catholic (CECCE) | JK–6 | 7.7/10 | 186 Barrow Cres | 613-521-3815 |
French-language schools draw from wider catchments than English schools, so families should verify eligibility and the nearest campus with the relevant board. Note that Maurice-Lapointe offers French-language education from the early years through Grade 12 under one roof.
Private and Montessori schools in Kanata
Kanata also offers private and Montessori options for families who want an alternative or supplementary approach. Because private schools are not assigned by catchment, families can apply regardless of where they live:
| School | Ages/grades | Address | Phone | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kanata Academy | Age 2 – Grade 12 | 2 Beaverbrook Rd | 613-599-5399 | Small class sizes; daily parent-teacher communication |
| Kanata Montessori | 18 months – Grade 8 | 355 Michael Cowpland Dr | 613-595-0543 | Multi-cultural, multi-faith nonprofit; ~300 students across both campuses |
| March Montessori | 18 months – Grade 8 | 1030 Riddel Dr | 613-595-0543 | North campus of Kanata Montessori |
| Beaverbrook Montessori | 14 months – Age 6 | 990 Teron Rd | 613-519-0444 | Hands-on early-years learning |
Schools by Kanata neighbourhood
Because catchment follows address, it helps to think about schools neighbourhood by neighbourhood when choosing where to buy. These are general patterns — exact catchments are set by each board and can change, so always confirm for a specific address:
Kanata Lakes: served by schools including W. Erskine Johnston Public School, with All Saints Catholic High School and Earl of March Secondary nearby — see the Kanata Lakes guide.
Morgan’s Grant: served by Jack Donohue Public School and École élémentaire publique Kanata — see Morgan’s Grant.
Bridlewood: Roland Michener and Bridlewood Community Elementary — see Bridlewood.
Katimavik: Katimavik Elementary and Holy Trinity Catholic High School — see Katimavik.
Beaverbrook: home to W. Erskine Johnston and Stephen Leacock public schools and Earl of March Secondary School — see Beaverbrook.
Glen Cairn: Glen Cairn Public School — see Glen Cairn.
French immersion and specialized programs
Many Kanata families choose French immersion, offered within numerous OCDSB and OCSB schools — Early, Middle, and Extended French streams appear across the community, from Stephen Leacock and W. Erskine Johnston to the Catholic elementary schools.
Beyond immersion, John Young offers a gifted program, South March runs a specialized Autism program, and Glen Cairn is designated a centre of excellence in math, science, technology, and the arts. Secondary schools add Advanced Placement (Earl of March), Extended French and international programming (A.Y. Jackson), and a range of academic, arts, and athletic streams. Because these programs are hosted at specific schools with their own boundaries, confirm availability for a given address rather than assuming the nearest school offers a desired program.
How school catchments affect buying a home in Kanata
For families, school catchment is one of the most important — and most overlooked — factors in a home purchase. In Ontario, a home’s address determines its assigned public school, so two houses a few streets apart can fall into different catchments and different schools.
Homes within the boundary of a sought-after school often see stronger buyer demand, which can support resale value, making catchment a genuine real estate consideration as well as an educational one. Boundaries are adjusted from time to time as enrolment shifts, so families should always confirm the current catchment for a specific property. This is exactly the kind of detail a local agent checks as part of a home search — the process is covered in the buying a home in Kanata and choosing the right community in the best neighbourhoods in Kanata guide.
Choosing the right Kanata school
Selecting a school comes down to a few questions: public, Catholic, or French-language; the educational philosophy and any faith component; convenience to home; alignment with a child’s academic interests; the level of special-needs or ESL support; and the specific programs on offer, such as immersion or gifted streams. The most reliable way to confirm a school is to use each board’s attendance-boundary look-up with the exact home address, then contact the school directly about programs, registration, and start dates.
Families relocating to Kanata should also review the practical steps — school registration among them — in the guide to living in Kanata. Jason Polonski, a Kanata-based REALTOR® and parent, has helped hundreds of families across Ottawa’s west end find homes in the catchment of the schools that matter to them, confirming catchments as part of every family home search. Learn more about Jason Polonski, browse homes for sale in Kanata, explore the benefits of living in Kanata, or read verified reviews on his Google Business Profile.
Thinking about making Kanata home? Explore the full Kanata real estate guide for current prices, neighbourhoods, and homes for sale.
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Frequently asked questions about Kanata schools
By the Fraser Institute’s latest ratings, St. Gabriel Catholic (9.9/10), W. Erskine Johnston (9.7/10), Stephen Leacock (9.4/10) and Kanata Highlands (9.0/10) are Kanata’s top-rated elementary schools, and Earl of March (8.6/10) leads the high schools. Earl of March and A.Y. Jackson are well-regarded public secondary schools, and All Saints and Holy Trinity serve Catholic secondary students. Ratings shift yearly, so check current figures.
Kanata is served by four boards: the English public OCDSB, the English Catholic OCSB, the French public CEPEO, and the French Catholic CECCE — giving families public, Catholic, and French-language options at both elementary and secondary levels.
Ontario assigns students to schools by catchment, or attendance boundary, based on home address. The home a family buys often determines which school their child attends, so confirming the catchment for a specific address before purchasing is essential.
Yes. Early, Middle, and Extended French immersion are offered within many OCDSB and OCSB schools, letting children become bilingual in an English-board setting. Families wanting a French-first education also have French public (CEPEO) and French Catholic (CECCE) schools locally.
Kanata has several private and Montessori options, including Kanata Academy (ages 2 to Grade 12) and Montessori schools serving the early years through Grade 8. Private schools are not assigned by catchment, so families can apply regardless of where they live.
It can. Homes within the boundary of a sought-after school often see stronger demand, which can support resale value, so families frequently prioritize catchment when choosing a Kanata neighbourhood.
Use each board’s attendance-boundary look-up with the exact address, since the public, Catholic, and French boards each have their own zones. A local REALTOR® can also confirm catchments as part of a home search.
