Key Highlights of Best High Schools in Ottawa Ontario
- Ottawa’s best high schools in 2025 stand out for their academic excellence, a strong feel of community, and several special programs. These schools sit high on Ottawa high school rankings and are well known to people in the city.
- You will find programs like International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, and fine arts at these schools. These draw in students who want both challenge and creativity in their high school years.
- These high schools serve several neighborhoods in Ottawa. Families can choose from English public schools, Catholic schools, or Ottawa private high schools. This means there is something for every family and every need.
- There are many extracurricular activities students can take part in, from championship athletics and robotics to drama and leadership programs. People get to try new things and work with others.
- Ottawa secondary schools do more than just focus on academics. They care about student support, inclusion, and character development to help every student grow and feel part of a group.
- The best high schools in Ottawa work with leading school boards and have up-to-date buildings. This gives students support and safety. Every student can feel good and find student success. These ways help them reach their personal goals.
Introduction
It can be hard for families to choose the best high schools in Ottawa, Ontario. This is true if you have just moved or if you want good schools for your kids. Ottawa is a place that cares about academic excellence. The high schools in the city have programs to fit the needs of all students. In 2025, these schools in Ottawa are known for more than their Ottawa high school rankings. They help students grow, be creative, and learn good values in their community. This also makes Ottawa a good place for students and parents who want excellence in education.
Best High Schools in Ottawa Ontario (2025): Comprehensive List of Top Picks
A full list of the top high schools in Ottawa for 2025 helps you see which places are good for building a sense of community and teaching students. Schools like Earl of March Secondary School and Nepean High School stand out for their strong leadership programs. They also offer many fun extracurricular activities. These give students chances to learn outside of class and grow in other ways.
USCA Academy, Lisgar Collegiate Institute and Canterbury help students work on character development in new ways. There are several schools, such as Saints High School, that offer special international baccalaureate programs. These programs get students ready for higher education and new directions after school.
1. USCA Academy
USCA Academy is known for having a strong sense of community and a focus on academic excellence. The school gives students a good learning environment with International Baccalaureate (IB) programs and lots of extracurricular activities. One thing that makes it stand out is how the school brings in advanced workshops for STEM and global leadership. Students can practice these skills in ways that go beyond most lessons. You can also learn several languages like French, Mandarin, and Spanish at the school.
Teachers at USCA Academy want you to use critical thinking and help you with character development. They make sure every student gets ready for higher education. Families feel happy with the supportive feel at the school. Each student gets personal help in small classes. This lets all students reach academic excellence, feel good, and enjoy a full learning experience.
2. Colonel By Secondary School
Colonel By Secondary School in Ottawa is known for its academic excellence and strong sense of community. The school stands out because of the International Baccalaureate program, where students get a tough curriculum and learn big ideas about the world around them.
At this secondary school, students have many ways to get involved in learning. The school offers advanced STEM programs and has a student-run robotics club. There are also special art programs. These help students build skills in music, drama, and drawing.
Students at Colonel By like to join extracurricular activities like the debate team and Model United Nations. These activities teach teamwork, character development, and important skills for life. The school makes these outside-the-classroom chances feel as important as lessons inside.
Colonel By Secondary School puts a high value on a sense of community. You can take part in mentorship programs and enjoy multicultural events. Because of all this, students feel part of the school, feel proud, feel included, and feel ready to go to higher education or college when they finish.
This school’s focus on excellence, a strong sense of community, and learning gives students what they need for the future. It helps them feel supported and inspires them to become leaders and go after what they want.
3. Lisgar Collegiate Institute
Lisgar Collegiate Institute is said to be one of the best high schools in Ottawa. The school has a long past filled with academic excellence. Students get a good learning environment here where they feel lifted up and backed by teachers and staff. There are AP courses for those who want to do more in their studies. Lisgar also gives students a strong International Baccalaureate (IB) program to help them grow.
Lisgar is known for some special programs too. There is an award-winning music program that many talk about. A famous debating society is here where students join and practice debate. There is a strong emphasis on languages at Lisgar. If you want to learn French better, the school gives you French Immersion and Extended French tracks.
Many students join in extracurricular activities at Lisgar. You get to work on character development while taking part in special STEM clubs and leadership programs. This helps make sure every student gets to feel the good results of student success.
Being in this lively school community helps students grow their social skills. It also helps them feel that they belong. With all these things put together, Lisgar Collegiate Institute shows excellence, which is why many say it is one of the top high schools in Ottawa.
4. Nepean High School
Nepean High School in Ottawa is known for its strong sense of community. The school gives students many ways to learn and grow. It offers both academic excellence and lots of extracurricular activities. Students get the best of both by working hard in class and joining activities after school.
A standout feature at Nepean High School is the well-known Outdoor Education program. This gives students the chance to learn outside the regular classroom. The Outdoor Education program lets students get real, hands-on experience. There is also a student-run radio station. Here, students come up with ideas and practice speaking.
The learning environment at Nepean High School is kind and supportive. At this school, everyone gets the help they need so they can do their best. The school works on character development by having leadership programs. This helps students get ready for higher education and whatever comes next.
Nepean High School offers many ways for people to be part of the school. There are sports teams and several co-curricular activities. Students can take part in many clubs, like robotics and debate. These clubs help students feel that they are part of something special. They also teach new skills. This makes Nepean feel like home for students in Ottawa, while helping everyone reach for excellence. The sense of community, character development, and drive for excellence make Nepean stand out.
5. Canterbury High School
Canterbury High School is known for its fine arts. It is a secondary school, and it is a good place for students who love art. The school offers a learning environment where students can be creative. At Canterbury, you can study music, drama, and visual arts along with your other classes. There are special studios for visual arts and real theatres for drama. The music program is large, and students can play many instruments.
Each year, Canterbury holds arts festivals and showcases. Students get to show their work in the community. This school has a strong emphasis on extracurricular activities. At Canterbury, students can do more than practice fine arts. These activities help with character development, too. They also give students a strong sense of community. It helps all of them feel like they belong. Canterbury is a place that wants every student to work with others and feel good as they grow.
6. Glebe Collegiate Institute
Located in Ottawa, Glebe Collegiate Institute is a secondary school known for its sports leadership programs and the way it brings together people from many cultures. The school puts a strong emphasis on character development. At Glebe, students find success in both academics and sports. People who go there have access to computer labs, gyms, and a new fitness center.
The Glebe Athletic Council stands out because it lets students lead and plan big sports events. Every year, the school holds the Multicultural Fair. This event is a time to celebrate the global feel of the school.
Glebe also offers students many chances to join extracurricular activities, like the robotics club and the debate team. These activities help everyone build a strong sense of community. Being part of these groups gets students ready for higher education and helps them learn how to work with people from all over the globe.
Comparing Public, Private, and Catholic High Schools in Ottawa
When you look at high schools in Ottawa, you can see each school is teaching people and helping them in its own way. Ottawa Catholic high schools put faith first. The schools also help students learn about good character. English public high schools in Ottawa work for academic excellence. They want students to do well. These schools also let people join programs like IB and AP. Ottawa private high schools, for example, USCA Academy, Elmwood School, have smaller classes. These private schools also offer special courses. Some of them have options for international students. It can be good to know about all these choices, because it helps people find the Ottawa secondary school that is right for them.
Now, let’s look at how these high schools are not the same. They teach different things, have other special programs, and the way students get in is not the same.
Academic Focus, Specialized Programs, and Educational Philosophy
Ottawa high schools offer many ways for students to learn. These schools are known for academic excellence and let students choose how they want to study. Public high schools like Lisgar and Colonel By give strong classes. They offer tough courses such as IB and AP so students can learn more. Catholic high schools teach about faith. They also help students with character development, along with the usual school subjects. Private high schools use lessons from places all over the world. They give special help to students so that everyone gets what they need. In Ottawa, high schools work hard to help your child reach excellence.
School Type | Academic Focus | Specialized Programs | Educational Philosophy |
|---|---|---|---|
Public (e.g., Colonel By, Lisgar) | IB, AP, STEM, Arts, French Immersion | IB Diploma, AP, SHSM, Gifted | Academic rigor, university prep |
Catholic (e.g., Immaculata, Notre Dame) | Religious education, core academics | SHSM, trades, apprenticeship | Faith-based, character building |
Private (e.g., Elmwood School) | Small class size, international | IB, personalized learning | Individualized, global approach |
Ottawa high schools stand out in Ontario. They do well on tests and help more students get into university than many other places. The Fraser Institute says that schools like Colonel By and Lisgar are some of the best in the province. These high schools give their students what they need to get ready for more learning in the years to come.
Tuition, Admission Requirements, and Student-to-Teacher Ratios
Tuition fees, how students get accepted, and the size of the classes can each be different at high schools in Ottawa. These things can change the learning environment at every school. They may also affect how easy it is for families to find the right place. Most Ottawa Catholic high schools and other public high schools in Ottawa do not charge any tuition. A lot of these high schools let you in based on where you live or if you sign up for a certain program.
Private schools in Ottawa, like Elmwood School, ask families to pay each year. They might look at your past school work. You may have to go to an interview before they decide if you can join.
- Some high schools in Ottawa offer special programs. For example, you can find the IB program at Colonel By and an arts program at Canterbury. To get into these programs, students often need to do academic tests or show what they can do in an audition.
- Private high schools in Ottawa usually have smaller classes. This means your child can get more personal help from teachers. Public high schools are often bigger. There may be more students in every class. Bigger classes can help students meet more people and make new friends.
- Many parents and students have good things to say about Ottawa secondary schools. They are happy with the help students get, the fun activities after classes, and the new buildings or new equipment.
When you and your family look at high schools in Ottawa, do not just check the price or how hard it is to join. Make sure to see what help there is for students at these high schools. It is good to know how much time students get to spend with their teachers as well.
Conclusion
Picking the right high school in Ottawa is important for your child. The school they go to can affect how they do in school and what they do later in life. Ottawa has many high schools to choose from. There are public, private, and Catholic high schools. Each one offers something different. Some high schools in Ottawa have good programs and other benefits for students.
For example, USCA Academy is strong focus on academic excellence and supports international students, Colonel By Secondary School offers the International Baccalaureate program. Canterbury High School is known for the arts. With these different options, there is something here for everyone. Parents and students can find a good secondary school that fits what they want and need.
When you check out high schools, you need to see how they do with school work. Take a look at the extracurricular activities they offer, too. Find out what your child needs to get in. See what each school can give your child. All these things can help you pick which high schools will be good for your child.
Check out each secondary school option in Ottawa. This can help you know what the schools are like. If you do this, your kid can feel strong and happy at high school in the city. If you are ready to start, you can contact us now. We help you find the best secondary school for your child in Ottawa!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What criteria are used to rank the best high schools in Ottawa, Ontario?
Ranking the best high schools in Ottawa depends on several things. Academic excellence is one key part. This shows how well students do on tests. People use the Fraser Institute ratings when they look at schools. Some high schools also have IB and AP programs, making them stand out from others in Ottawa. The type and quality of extracurricular activities in a school matter as well. A school’s reputation is also important in the ranking. All these things work together when you want to find Ottawa’s top schools that offer good learning and a strong way to grow.
2. Which neighborhoods are served by Ottawa’s top high schools, and how does school zoning work?
The best high schools in Ottawa can be found in places like Barrhaven, Kanata, Broadview Avenue, and downtown Ottawa. In the Ottawa area, high schools use catchment boundaries. This means students usually have to go to a school close to where they live. But if they want to get into special programs, they can choose a different high school in the Ottawa area.
3. Are there specialized high schools in Ottawa for arts, STEM, or IB programs?
Yes, in Ottawa, there be some special programs at different secondary schools. Colonel By Secondary School is known for the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, and many students pick this school because of it. Canterbury High School is a good place for the arts, and it is an arts magnet school in Ottawa. Lisgar Collegiate Institute offers Advanced Placement courses, so if you want to get more advanced classes, you can go to Lisgar.
These Ottawa secondary schools are good if you want to study fine arts or learn about STEM. If you want to get into IB or try out other subjects, you will find good options at Lisgar, Canterbury, and other Ottawa secondary schools. Ottawa has many programs for people who want to learn different things, whether in the creative arts or in other school subjects.
