OTTAWA REAL ESTATE
Ottawa Best Private Schools: Tuition, Grades & Neighbourhoods
Families researching the best private schools in Ottawa are usually weighing two decisions at once: which school fits their child, and which neighbourhood puts that school within a reasonable drive or bus ride. This guide compares Ottawa’s leading private and independent schools — co-ed, all-girls, French-curriculum, faith-based, and special-needs programs — by grade range, approximate tuition, and location, so a family can plan the school year and the address at the same time. It draws on years of helping families relocate to Ottawa and Kanata specifically for schooling, so the neighbourhood context is grounded in what actually affects a daily commute, not just a school’s brochure.
Private education in Ottawa spans everything from an IB boarding school in Rockcliffe Park to bilingual day schools in Alta Vista and central Ottawa. Tuition, class size, and program focus vary widely, and so does the drive time from Kanata or Stittsville. The sections below break down each school, then connect the decision back to where a family should be looking for a home.
Ottawa Private Schools at a Glance
The table below summarizes grade range and school type for the schools covered in this guide. It’s a starting point for narrowing the list before booking tours.
| School | Grades | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Ashbury College | 3–12 (boarding from Grade 9) | Co-ed, IB, day and boarding |
| Elmwood School | Preschool–12 | Girls, IB (PYP, MYP, DP) |
| Lycée Claudel | Preschool–12 | Co-ed, French curriculum |
| Turnbull School | JK–8 | Co-ed day |
| Kanata Montessori School | Toddler–12 | Co-ed, Montessori |
| Kanata Academy | Preschool–12 | Co-ed, independent |
| Joan of Arc Academy | JK–8 | Girls, bilingual |
| Heritage Academy of Learning Excellence | 1–12 | Co-ed, traditional |
| Académie St-Laurent Academy | Nursery–12 | Co-ed, bilingual |
| Académie de la Capitale | JK–12 | Co-ed, IB-oriented |
| Revel Academy | K–12 | Co-ed, personalized learning |
| International School of Ottawa | Varies | IB, international |
Ottawa Private School Tuition by School (2026–27)
Private school tuition in Ottawa ranges from roughly $15,000 to just over $40,000 a year for a day student, and boarding at Ashbury College is $87,660 for 2026–27. Most of the city’s independent elementary and secondary schools fall between $18,000 and $27,000 for a full school day.
Figures below are annual tuition for one day student unless noted. Where a school publishes its own fees, the figure comes from the school’s website. Where it doesn’t, the figure is as listed on Our Kids, the national private school directory, and should be confirmed with the school.
| School | Area | Published tuition | Year and source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashbury College | Rockcliffe Park | Day $40,920 · Boarding $87,660 | 2026–27, Ashbury College |
| Turnbull School | Fisher Avenue near Baseline Road | Kindergarten $24,450 · Grades 1–8 $26,950 | 2026–27, Turnbull School |
| Kanata Montessori School | Kanata (three campuses) | Grades 1–6 $20,616.75 (school day) or $24,475.50 (extended day) · Grades 7–9 $21,829.50 · Grades 10–12 $22,435.89 | 2025–26, Kanata Montessori School |
| Kanata Academy | 180 Huntmar Drive, Stittsville | Kindergarten $18,400 · Grades 1–8 $19,280 · Grades 9–12 $19,380 | Year not stated, Kanata Academy |
| Joan of Arc Academy | Ottawa | First child $19,800 · Second $15,840 · Third $14,850 | 2026–27, Joan of Arc Academy |
| Lycée Claudel | Alta Vista | Maternelle $16,500 · Other levels about $16,100 to $17,700 for the eldest child | 2026–27, Lycée Claudel fee schedule |
| Heritage Academy of Learning Excellence | 207 Bayswater Avenue | Standard day $19,600 | 2026–27, Our Kids |
| Elmwood School | Rockcliffe Park | $18,800 to $37,650 by grade | As listed, Our Kids |
| Académie St-Laurent Academy | Ottawa | $15,000 to $22,000 by grade | As listed, Our Kids |
| Académie de la Capitale | 3448 Richmond Road | Grade 1 $23,285 · JK $26,920 | As listed, Our Kids |
Fees change every year. Kanata Montessori’s figures are for 2025–26, the most recent year posted at the time of writing. Lycée Claudel’s fee schedule is published in French and lists separate rates for each additional child. Académie de la Capitale’s JK fee includes before- and after-school supervision plus hot lunches and snacks, which explains why it is higher than Grade 1. Confirm current fees with each school’s admissions office before you budget.
What Tuition Usually Doesn’t Cover
The headline tuition figure is rarely the full cost. Ask each school for its complete fee schedule. Common extras include:
- Enrolment or registration fees: often a one-time, non-refundable charge for new families. Ashbury, for example, charges a one-time enrolment fee for new students after an offer is accepted.
- Uniforms and supplies: Kanata Academy lists a $100 to $250 supply fee and roughly $250 to $400 for uniforms, bought separately.
- Lunch programs: Kanata Academy lists a $2,200 annual lunch and snack program, and Ashbury bills the meal plan separately for day students in Grades 10 to 12, according to its Our Kids listing.
- Before- and after-school care: Kanata Academy charges $25 a day. Kanata Montessori builds it into a higher extended-day rate.
- Trips, sports and clubs: Académie de la Capitale invoices ski programs, field trips, travel, sports and after-school clubs separately.
- Exam fees in high school: IB and French baccalauréat exams can add to the bill in the senior years.
- Transportation: private schools don’t use public school board buses, so budget for driving, carpooling or a private bus service.
Sibling Discounts, Bursaries and Payment Plans
Most Ottawa schools reduce the cost for second and third children. Joan of Arc Academy charges $15,840 for a second child and $14,850 for a third. Académie de la Capitale lists a 10% sibling discount. Lycée Claudel lowers the rate for each additional child, and Académie St-Laurent Academy lists $1,000 off for the second, third and fourth child on Our Kids.
Financial aid exists but is limited. Ashbury offers need-based bursaries, mainly for students in Grades 7 to 12, and merit awards that go to fewer than 5% of new students. Ask every school what share of families receive help and when applications are due, because bursary deadlines often fall well before admission decisions.
Payment terms vary too. Kanata Academy accepts full payment, two instalments or ten monthly payments. Lycée Claudel takes a deposit at registration, then three instalments or nine monthly payments.
Is Private School Tuition Tax Deductible?
In most cases, no. Elementary and secondary private school tuition isn’t deductible in Canada, and the federal tuition tax credit applies to post-secondary education, not kindergarten to Grade 12.
There are a few narrow exceptions. The portion of fees that pays for child care, such as before- and after-school supervision, may qualify as a child care expense. Schools that are registered charities and provide religious education may be able to issue a donation receipt for part of the fee, under rules set out in the Canada Revenue Agency’s Information Circular IC75-23. Tax rules change and depend on your situation, so confirm with your accountant before counting on any deduction or receipt.
Traditional Academic Excellence: Ashbury, Elmwood and Lycée Claudel
Ashbury College, in Rockcliffe Park, is a co-educational day and boarding school for Grades 3–12, with boarding available from Grade 9. It runs IB and AP programs and has one of the longest academic track records among Ottawa’s private schools, with 2026–27 day tuition of $40,920 and boarding of $87,660. Families choosing Ashbury are typically comfortable with either a Rockcliffe Park-area home or a longer commute from the west end in exchange for the program.
Elmwood School, also in Rockcliffe Park, is an all-girls IB school covering PK through Grade 12, with tuition listed on Our Kids at $18,800 to $37,650 depending on grade. It emphasizes personal development alongside academics and draws families specifically seeking a girls-only environment through to graduation.
Lycée Claudel, in Alta Vista, offers a full French curriculum from preschool through Grade 12 at a noticeably lower tuition band, roughly $15,000 to $17,000 per year. It’s the most common choice among families who want their children to be fluent bilingual for future study or work, and Alta Vista’s central location makes it workable from a wider radius of the city than Rockcliffe Park.
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Specialized and Alternative Programs
Not every family is looking for a traditional academic track, and Ottawa’s private school market has real depth beyond the big-name day schools. Turnbull School, in central Ottawa, is a co-ed day school for Junior Kindergarten through Grade 8 known for small class sizes, with 2026–27 tuition of $24,450 for kindergarten and $26,950 for Grades 1 to 8. Revel Academy, also central, serves Kindergarten through Grade 12 with a personalized, less traditional approach to instruction.
Heritage Academy specializes in the Simultaneous Multisensory Teaching (SMT) method, built specifically for students with learning differences, and is worth a direct conversation with the school on fit and fees. Académie St-Laurent, in the St-Laurent area, runs a bilingual program from daycare through Grade 12 with an emphasis on critical thinking and character development. Providence Antonine Sisters Academy is a Catholic school combining a Montessori approach with a faith-based curriculum, appealing to families who want religious education paired with independent learning.
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Private High Schools in Ottawa
Ottawa’s private high school options include two International Baccalaureate schools in Rockcliffe Park, a large French-curriculum school, Montessori-based high schools in Kanata and near Lansdowne, and several smaller independent schools. Day tuition runs from about $15,000 to just over $40,000 a year.
| School | High school grades offered | Program focus | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashbury College | Senior School to Grade 12, day and boarding | IB Diploma, OSSD | Rockcliffe Park |
| Elmwood School | To Grade 12, girls | IB Diploma | Rockcliffe Park |
| Lycée Claudel | To Terminale | French baccalauréat | Alta Vista, on the Trillium Line |
| Kanata Montessori School | Grades 7–12 campus | Montessori | Michael Cowpland Drive, Kanata |
| Kanata Academy | Grades 9–12 | Independent | Huntmar Drive, Stittsville |
| The Element High School | Grades 7–12 | Montessori-informed, progressive | Lansdowne area |
| Heritage Academy of Learning Excellence | To Grade 12 | Traditional | Hintonburg |
| Académie St-Laurent Academy | To Grade 12 | Bilingual, progressive | East end |
| Académie de la Capitale | To Grade 12 | IB-oriented | Richmond Road |
School list drawn from the Our Kids directory of Ottawa private high schools, with west-end options added.
Boarding
Ashbury College is Ottawa’s only private boarding school, with a boarding intake mainly in Grades 9 to 11. Families comparing it with schools elsewhere in Ontario will find the options in our guide to boarding schools in and near Ottawa.
Will My Child Earn an Ontario Diploma?
This is the most important question to ask any private high school, and the answer isn’t automatic. Ontario’s private schools page explains that the Ministry of Education does not fund, license or accredit private schools, and inspects only private high schools that offer, or want to offer, Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) credits. Private school teachers don’t have to be certified by the Ontario College of Teachers.
Before you enrol, confirm that the school appears on Ontario’s private school list as offering OSSD credits, whether its graduates earn the OSSD, an international credential such as the IB Diploma or French baccalauréat, or both, and where last year’s graduates went to university.
Admissions Timing
Competitive private high schools fill their entry grades a year ahead. Ashbury says on its admissions page that Senior School admission is competitive, that Grade 10 and 11 entry depends on space, and that Grade 12 applicants are rarely accepted. If you’re relocating to Ottawa in the summer, contact schools the fall before.
Public Alternatives Worth Comparing
A private school isn’t the only route to a rigorous high school program. The OCDSB offers the IB Diploma Programme at two public high schools, Colonel By Secondary School and Merivale High School, and assigns the IB school by address. Our page on the best high schools in Ottawa covers how to compare public options.
Factors That Actually Change the Decision
Curriculum and reputation get most of the attention, but a few practical factors tend to decide the outcome once families start touring schools. Class size and student-teacher ratio affect how much individual attention a child gets, and this varies more between schools than marketing materials suggest. Extracurricular depth, facilities, and school culture matter too, but they’re best judged in person rather than from a website.
Tuition affordability has to be weighed against the rest of a family’s housing budget, not considered in isolation — a $30,000-a-year tuition commitment changes what mortgage a family can comfortably carry. Special needs support, where relevant, should be a direct conversation with the school about experience and resources rather than an assumption based on program name. Alumni networks and parent involvement culture round out the picture for families thinking beyond the K–12 years alone.
Questions to Ask Before You Sign an Enrolment Contract
- Is the school inspected by the Ministry, and can it grant OSSD credits?
- Does it follow the Ontario curriculum, and are teachers certified and staff police-checked?
- Is it accredited by an outside body such as Canadian Accredited Independent Schools?
- What is the average class size in the senior grades, and which electives actually ran last year?
- Is learning support included in tuition or billed separately?
- What is the refund policy if you withdraw mid-year or before September?
- How much have fees risen over the past three years?
The last two matter most for your budget. Many enrolment contracts commit you to the full year once signed.
How School Choice Should Shape the Home Search
Once a family has a shortlist of two or three schools, the next question is almost always where to live. A Rockcliffe Park or Alta Vista address puts Ashbury, Elmwood, and Lycée Claudel within a short drive, but it’s a different housing market and price point than Kanata or Stittsville. Families relocating from outside the city, including many moving from Toronto to Ottawa, often need to weigh school proximity against the broader affordability and lifestyle trade-offs covered in a guide to relocating to Ottawa.
For families already in the west end, a longer school commute is sometimes the more affordable choice, and understanding the cost of living in Ottawa alongside private school tuition is essential before committing to either. Anyone weighing the trade-offs of city life generally, including commute time against private school access, may also find it useful to review the pros and cons of living in Ottawa and the broader living in Ottawa guide. Families who’ve raised kids through a school already and are now considering a smaller home once children are grown often look at downsizing in Kanata as the next step.
Budgeting for tuition alongside a mortgage is worth doing early and honestly. The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada publishes budgeting tools that help families model large, recurring costs like private school tuition against a mortgage payment before house-hunting starts. Families saving toward tuition in advance may also want to look at the Government of Canada’s Registered Education Savings Plan grants, which apply regardless of whether a child ultimately attends a public or private school.
Choosing Where to Live Around Ottawa’s Private Schools
Rockcliffe Park and Alta Vista carry a premium tied partly to proximity to Ashbury, Elmwood, and Lycée Claudel, while central Ottawa neighbourhoods near Turnbull and Revel Academy tend to offer more housing variety at a range of price points. Families anchored in Kanata or Stittsville who choose a school further into the city are usually trading a longer school-day commute for west-end housing value, larger lots, and newer construction. There’s no universally right answer — it depends on whether the family prioritizes school proximity, home size, or overall budget.
The Ontario Ministry of Education oversees the registration requirements private schools must meet in this province, which is worth understanding before assuming all private schools operate under the same oversight. Families can also cross-reference a target neighbourhood’s broader housing supply directly through REALTOR.ca once a shortlist of schools and areas starts to take shape, and check current mortgage affordability guidance through CMHC before setting a firm budget.
Private Schools Close to Kanata and Stittsville
West-end families have strong choices close to home. Kanata Montessori School runs three Kanata campuses, including its Grades 7 to 12 program on Michael Cowpland Drive, and Kanata Academy is on Huntmar Drive in Stittsville. For a family already living in Kanata or Stittsville, that can mean a short local drive instead of a daily trip across the city.
Even when you plan on private school, buy in a neighbourhood with good public school options. Plans change, and the next buyer of your home may not share your school choice. Our Ottawa schools guide explains how the public boards work.
Related Living in Ottawa Guides
Jason Polonski: An Ottawa REALTOR® Who Understands School-Driven Moves
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Jason describes his role as helping clients avoid a timing mistake first, then optimizing price second, which matters especially for families coordinating a school year start with a home closing date. His background includes hands-on trades experience and a Bachelor of Commerce from Concordia University, with a double major in Marketing and Finance, and he’s available seven days a week for families juggling school tours, work, and a home search at the same time. For families who need more structured support relocating into the city, his Ottawa relocation services are built around exactly this kind of multi-factor move. Reach out through his About page to start the conversation about which neighbourhood fits both the school list and the budget.
For public, Catholic and French-language options, see our Nepean schools guide.
Ottawa Private Schools (FAQs)
Most Ottawa private schools charge between about $18,000 and $27,000 a year for a day student. Ashbury College is at the top of the range at $40,920 for 2026–27, and some smaller and French-curriculum schools are closer to $15,000. Most schools charge extra for enrolment, uniforms, lunches and trips, so request a full fee schedule and confirm current figures with each school.
Many private schools in Ottawa have a strong reputation for academic excellence and rigorous curricula. They often offer advanced placement (AP) courses, International Baccalaureate (IB) programs, and other specialized programs to challenge high-achieving students. However, the level of rigour can vary between schools, so it’s important to research individual institutions to find the best fit for your child’s needs.
Yes, private schools in Ottawa generally offer a wide range of extracurricular activities to cater to diverse interests. These may include sports, clubs, arts programs, and community service opportunities. Participating in extracurricular activities can help students develop new skills, build friendships, and explore their passions.
Class sizes in private schools tend to be smaller than in public schools, allowing for more individualized attention from teachers. This can benefit students who require additional support or prefer a more intimate learning environment. However, the exact class size can vary depending on the school and grade level.
Choosing the right private school for your child involves careful consideration of several factors, including academic programs, extracurricular activities, facilities, tuition fees, and the school’s overall culture and values. It’s recommended to visit schools in person, speak with school administrators, and tour the facilities to get a better sense of the environment. Additionally, you may want to consult with other parents or education experts for advice.
Ashbury College is the most expensive, with 2026–27 tuition of $40,920 for a day student and $87,660 for a boarder. Elmwood School’s upper grades are next, listed on Our Kids at up to $37,650. French-curriculum Lycée Claudel is among the more affordable at about $16,100 to $17,700.
Yes. Lycée Claudel in Alta Vista offers a full French curriculum from preschool through Grade 12, and Académie St-Laurent provides bilingual education from daycare to Grade 12. Both are popular choices for families seeking French-language or bilingual private education in Ottawa.
Yes. Heritage Academy specializes in the Simultaneous Multisensory Teaching (SMT) method and supports students with learning differences in a structured, inclusive environment. When considering any school for a child with special needs, ask about its experience, dedicated resources, and student-teacher ratio.
Our Kids lists Académie St-Laurent Academy tuition at $15,000 to $22,000 a year depending on grade, with $1,000 off for second, third and fourth children. Confirm current fees with the school.
Generally not. The child care portion of fees may qualify as a child care expense, and some religious schools that are registered charities can receipt part of the fee. Confirm with your accountant.
Some do. Ashbury offers need-based bursaries and a small number of merit awards, and most schools offer sibling discounts. Ask each school about bursary deadlines early.
Ashbury College and Elmwood School are Ottawa’s two CAIS-accredited IB schools, and Lycée Claudel is the largest French-curriculum school. Kanata Montessori and Kanata Academy are the main west-end options.
Yes. Kanata Montessori School runs a Grades 7 to 12 campus on Michael Cowpland Drive, and Kanata Academy offers Grades 9 to 12 on Huntmar Drive in Stittsville.
Some do and some don’t. Only private high schools that offer OSSD credits are inspected by the Ministry of Education, so check the school against Ontario’s private school list before enrolling.
Apply in the fall of the year before entry. Competitive schools fill Grade 9 places early, and Grade 12 spots are rarely available.
