Elmwood School

Elmwood follows the International Baccalaureate from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12: the Primary Years Programme in the Early Years and Junior School, the Middle Years Programme from Grade 6, and the Diploma Programme in Grades 11 and 12. Senior students may take the full IB Diploma or individual IB certificate courses, and every graduate also earns the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. The school reports a 100% IB pass rate and an average Diploma score of around 35 to 36 points in recent years.

English is the language of instruction. French as a Second Language is part of the compulsory programme in Ontario, and in the IB Diploma students can study French as an additional language, including at beginner level, or take literature in French or Mandarin. Spanish, Latin and Mandarin are also offered as language courses in the senior years, and Ottawa's bilingual setting gives girls daily exposure to both official languages.

Elmwood is organised in four divisions. The Early Years cover Pre-Kindergarten, Junior Kindergarten and Senior Kindergarten (ages 3 to 5). The Junior School runs from Grade 1 to Grade 5, following the IB Primary Years Programme. The Middle School covers Grades 6 to 8 within the IB Middle Years Programme, with a one-to-one technology programme. The Senior School, Grades 9 to 12, prepares girls for university with the IB Diploma or IB certificates alongside the Ontario Secondary School Diploma.

Elmwood describes its purpose as leaving students feeling lifted and unstoppable. The school wants each girl to be known, valued and inspired, supported with care, challenged with intention and encouraged to take healthy risks. Its values centre on a joyful love of learning, open-mindedness and curiosity, kindness, collaboration and respect, and personal accountability, with the aim of forming confident, compassionate global citizens who lead with integrity.

With more than 20 sports and dozens of clubs, Elmwood aims for every girl to find an activity she enjoys. Junior School teams include badminton, basketball, cross-country, flag rugby, soccer, track and volleyball, plus an equestrian club. Middle and Senior School girls can compete in alpine skiing, badminton, basketball, cross-country, golf, rowing, rugby sevens and tens, soccer, swimming, tennis, track and field, Ultimate and volleyball. Arts include theatre productions, music ensembles and visual arts exhibitions, and clubs cover robotics, Model UN, DECA, improv and environmental action. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award and Round Square add service and adventure.

Elmwood occupies a compact campus on Buena Vista Road in Rockcliffe Park. The main building, extended over the decades, houses classrooms, a large gymnasium, a library, art rooms and a music studio, while a separate purpose-built Junior School includes Kindergarten classrooms designed for young learners. The Learning Commons hosts after-school study and peer tutoring, and there are outdoor play and learning spaces. Under its Space to Lead project, Elmwood is planning new performance, community and fitness spaces.

The Student Success Centre provides enrichment and support from Pre-K to Grade 12, including success coaching, personalised plans for neurodiverse learners, early reading intervention, after-school study studios, peer tutoring and an on-campus tutoring programme. University counsellors guide senior students. The Elmwood Bistro prepares fresh meals on site, with lunches and snacks included for the Early Years, and free snack stations for all. A bus programme serves several parts of Ottawa, and before-school care with breakfast is available for younger pupils. Merit- and needs-based scholarships are offered.