NEPEAN BUYER GUIDE
Nepean Schools: Boards, Catchments and Programs
Last updated: September 2026
Nepean schools are run by four publicly funded boards: the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (English public), the Ottawa Catholic School Board (English Catholic), and two French-language boards, CEPEO (public) and CECCE (Catholic). Which school your child attends depends on your exact address, the board you choose and the program, such as English or French immersion, not on the neighbourhood name.
For home buyers, that means checking the catchment for a specific address before you buy. This guide explains how Nepean‘s school system works, lists the main schools by area, and shows you how to confirm a catchment. Always verify with the school board, because boundaries and programs change.
The Four School Boards Serving Nepean
Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB)
The OCDSB is the English public board, and its head office is on Greenbank Road in Nepean. It offers English and French immersion programs at the elementary level, and a range of secondary programs.
Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB)
The OCSB is the English Catholic board, with its head office on West Hunt Club Road in Nepean. Catholic schools also offer French immersion options.
Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario (CEPEO)
CEPEO runs French-language public schools.
Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est (CECCE)
CECCE runs French-language Catholic schools.
French immersion vs French-language schools
French immersion is a program for students learning French as a second language, offered by the English boards. French-language schools (CEPEO and CECCE) are for students whose families have French-language education rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, or who are admitted by the board. If French education matters to your family, check eligibility with the board before you choose a home.
How School Catchments Work
Catchments are set by address
Each board draws its own boundaries, and a single street can fall into different catchments for English, immersion and Catholic programs. Neighbourhood names, postal codes and MLS® areas don’t line up with school boundaries.
How to check an address
- Use the school locator on the OCDSB or OCSB website, or contact the French boards directly.
- Check the specific program you want: English, early French immersion or another program.
- Ask about transportation eligibility, since bus service depends on distance and grade.
- Call the school to confirm, especially if a boundary review is underway.
Boundaries change
Boards review boundaries as enrolment shifts. Several Nepean schools have closed or consolidated in recent years, including Greenbank Middle School, D. Aubrey Moodie Intermediate and Century Public School in 2017, and Parkwood Hills Public School in 2010. Leslie Park Public School has since reopened as Mamawi Public School. A home’s catchment today may not be the same in five years.
Make it a condition if it matters
If a specific school is essential, confirm the catchment before you make an offer. Jason can help you verify it during your due diligence.
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Schools in West Nepean: Bells Corners, Crystal Beach and Qualicum
These are some of the schools that have served west Nepean. Catchments vary by address and program.
English public (OCDSB)
- Bells Corners Public School, Bells Corners
- Bayshore Public School, Bayshore area
- Lakeview Public School (early French immersion, JK to grade 6), Lakeview
- Crystal Bay Centre for Special Education
- Bell High School (grades 7 to 12), Bells Corners
English Catholic (OCSB)
- Our Lady of Peace elementary, Bells Corners
- St. Paul High School, Draper Avenue
French-language
- Collège catholique Franco-Ouest (CECCE) for secondary students
See our neighbourhood guides to Bells Corners, Crystal Beach and Lakeview and Qualicum for more on each area.
Special education and alternative programs
All four boards offer special education support, from in-class help to specialized programs. In Nepean, the OCDSB’s Crystal Bay Centre for Special Education serves students with specific needs, and the Elizabeth Wyn Wood Secondary Alternate Program in City View offers a different setting for secondary students. If your child needs specific support, contact the board before you buy, since specialized programs may be located at a different school from your home school and transportation arrangements can differ.
Adult and continuing education
For older students and adults, Algonquin College’s main campus in Nepean offers diploma, certificate and apprenticeship programs, and the school boards run adult high school and continuing education courses.
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Schools in Central Nepean: Centrepointe, Craig Henry, Briargreen and Leslie Park
English public (OCDSB)
- Briargreen Public School, Briargreen
- Knoxdale Public School, serving Craig Henry, Trend-Arlington and nearby areas
- Manordale Public School, Manordale
- Mamawi Public School, Leslie Park (the former Leslie Park Public School)
- Sir Robert Borden High School (grades 7 to 12), Greenbank Road
English Catholic (OCSB)
- St. John XXIII elementary, Woodvale
- St. John the Apostle elementary, Leslie Park
- St. Paul High School and St. Pius X High School, depending on address
French-language
Central Nepean students attend CEPEO and CECCE schools such as Charlotte-Lemieux, Omer-Deslauriers, Jean-Robert-Gauthier and Franco-Ouest, depending on address and grade.
Nearby post-secondary
Algonquin College‘s main campus is at Woodroffe and Baseline, which is also handy for families with older teens.
See our guides to Centrepointe, Craig Henry, Briargreen and Leslie Park and Arlington Woods.
Schools in East Nepean: Tanglewood, Parkwood Hills and Country Place
English public (OCDSB)
- Meadowlands Public School (English and early French immersion)
- Sir Winston Churchill Public School
- Merivale High School
English Catholic (OCSB)
- St. Monica and St. Rita elementary schools
- Frank Ryan Catholic intermediate school
- St. Pius X High School
French-language
- Omer-Deslauriers (CEPEO) and Charlotte-Lemieux (CEPEO)
- Jean-Robert-Gauthier (CECCE) and Franco-Ouest (CECCE)
Private and alternative
Redeemer Christian High School is a private school in the area, and the OCDSB’s Elizabeth Wyn Wood Secondary Alternate Program is in City View. For a wider view, see our guide to Ottawa private schools.
See our guides to Tanglewood and Manordale, Parkwood Hills and Country Place and Pineglen.
Questions to ask when you visit a school
- What programs are offered, such as English, French immersion or specialized programs?
- How large are the classes, and are there portables?
- What before- and after-school care is available?
- What extracurricular activities, sports and clubs are offered?
- How does the school support students with different learning needs?
- Is a boundary review planned?
The answers, along with how the school feels when you visit, tell you more than any single ranking.
Beyond the Classroom: Childcare, Libraries and Recreation
Schools are only part of what families need nearby.
Before- and after-school care
Many Nepean elementary schools host before- and after-school programs, often run by community organizations or licensed providers. Waiting lists can be long, so ask the school early.
Libraries
The Ottawa Public Library has branches serving Nepean, including the Centrepointe branch at Ben Franklin Place, with homework help, programs for children and teens, and study space.
Sports and recreation
The City of Ottawa runs swimming, skating, camps and sports programs at facilities such as the Nepean Sportsplex, and community associations across Nepean organize local leagues, outdoor rinks and events.
Timing a Move Around the School Calendar
Many families prefer to move in summer so children start the year at their new school. If your move falls mid-year, talk to the new school early: most boards can enrol students at any time, and the school can help with the transition.
When you’re buying and selling, a closing date in July or August can make the move easier for children. Jason can help you plan offer strategy and closing dates around the school year, so your purchase timeline works for the whole family.
Choosing a Home With Schools in Mind
Look beyond one number
The EQAO publishes provincial assessment results by school. They’re one input, but visiting the school, meeting the principal and talking to parents usually tells you more about fit, programs and culture.
Think about the whole path
Consider the elementary school, the intermediate grades and the high school. In Nepean, several high schools now serve grades 7 to 12, so the path may be simpler than you expect.
Consider getting there
Walking distance, bus eligibility and safe routes matter, especially in neighbourhoods such as Bells Corners where many streets have no sidewalks.
Schools and resale
Homes in catchments for popular schools and programs often attract more family buyers, which can support resale. But boundaries change, so don’t overpay for a catchment alone.
Barrhaven schools
Barrhaven, which was part of the former City of Nepean, has its own set of newer schools. See our Barrhaven guide and our Nepean vs Barrhaven comparison.
Start your search
Browse current Nepean homes for sale, or see our city-wide guide to the best family neighbourhoods in Ottawa.
How Jason Polonski Helps Families Choose a Nepean Home
Jason Polonski is a REALTOR® with Right at Home Realty with more than 15 years of experience helping west-end families buy and sell, and a Bachelor of Commerce with a double major in Marketing and Finance from Concordia University. When schools are a priority, he helps you verify catchments for specific addresses before you make an offer, and his construction and electrical trades background helps you judge the condition of the family home you’re buying.
As a move coordinator, he lines up your sale and purchase so the move fits the school calendar and you don’t carry two homes. He offers a 1% Listing Commission, charged on the final sold price, and eligible buyers can receive up to $3,000 cash back through his cash back program. His recognition includes the Chairman’s Club (2025, 2021) and Best in Ottawa Top REALTOR® seven years running. Learn more about Jason or read his reviews on Google.
Frequently Asked Questions
Four publicly funded boards serve Nepean: the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (English public), the Ottawa Catholic School Board (English Catholic), CEPEO (French public) and CECCE (French Catholic).
Use the school locator on the OCDSB or OCSB website, or contact CEPEO or CECCE directly. Check the specific program you want, since catchments differ for English and French immersion.
High schools serving established Nepean include Sir Robert Borden, Bell and Merivale (OCDSB), St. Paul and St. Pius X (OCSB), and Collège catholique Franco-Ouest and Omer-Deslauriers (French-language). Confirm the catchment for any address.
No. Despite its name, Nepean High School is in the Westboro area of Kitchissippi, which was part of Nepean Township until 1950.
Yes. Boards review boundaries as enrolment changes, and several Nepean schools have closed or consolidated in recent years. Always confirm the current catchment before you buy.
Students whose families have French-language education rights under the Charter are eligible for CEPEO and CECCE schools, and the boards may admit others through an admissions process. Contact the board to confirm.
