My Shortlist

Keep track of your top schools
1

BUILD YOUR SHORTLIST

Login or sign up to save schools.
2

EVALUATE YOUR SCHOOLS

3

TRACK IMPORTANT DATES

Trusted by families since 1998.
Académie de la Capitale logo
OUR KIDS REPORT:

Académie de la Capitale

Grades JK — 12 — Ottawa, ON (Map)
 Add to shortlist







THE OUR KIDS REPORT:
Académie de la Capitale
REPORT CONTENTS
Reviews
Analysis

School overview

  • LOCATION
    Ottawa, ON (View address)

The big picture on Académie de la Capitale

We summarized the school ourselves

It’s a big world out there, and for the students who enroll here, AcadeCap is a window onto all of it. The attention to global education is underscored by the adoption of the IB PYP program, and things continue from there. Collaborative learning, among peers as well as intergenerational, is an important aspect of the delivery of the curriculum, as is the provision of authentic learning experiences. There is, of course, a vast array of resources available within the capital region, and AcadeCap rightly makes the most of them. Class sizes are small, and instructional support is personal and individualized. The school casts a very wide net and models an approach to learning based on curiosity, empathy, and active engagement. The ideal student is one able to thrive in a diverse, challenging, vibrant and social learning environment.

We questioned the school administration

1. Who are you, as a school?

"We offer a rigorous, tailored bilingual and/or English education from JK to Grade 12. IB PYP students engage in concept-driven inquiry-based learning in STEAM, Visual and Performing Arts, The Humanities, International Languages and PSPE. The PSSP and OSSD pursue in-depth understanding of content, teaching students to work hard and make practical connections between subjects and the real world, preparing them for post-secondary education. Our 21st Century Learning Curriculum© is implemented from Gr. 7 to 12."

  • IB ® World School offering the PYP, a concept-driven inquiry-based approach, in a bilingual format
  • Pre-Secondary School Programme (PSSP) (Grade 7 & 8) (Bilingual or English) (DELF)
  • Ontario-Inspected Secondary School (OSSD) (English) (French Immersion Certificate) (DELF)
  • 21st Century Learning Curriculum© (Grade 7 to 12) (Competency-based curriculum)
  • First and only school in Canada to obtain the seal of approval from Label FrancÉducation
  • Approach to Math and Science develops rigour, confidence, high academic and competition results
  • Focused differentiated learning with a low student-teacher ratio in a small school
  • Engagement in learning across-the-ages to develop empathy, respect, and collaboration
  • High regard for academic honesty, work carefully done, responsibility, and stick-to-itiveness
  • Admittance to programmes and universities of choice with scholarships via mastery of course content

2. What do you do differently and uniquely well?

Differentiation
Respecting a student’s potential by way of built-in differentiation maximizes each student’s learning and academic achievement. From the get-go, AcadeCap educators recognize that no two students are the same nor do they learn the same. Three key factors support AcadeCap’s approach to differentiation: low teacher-student ratios, educators with deep subject expertise, and a strong understanding of each student’s learning profile.

Math +
Math follows a progressive "concept-before-code" approach, transitioning from visual and tactile methods in the IB PYP to context-based learning in Grade 7 and 8, and application-driven problem-solving at the secondary school level. Deep conceptual understanding prepares students, not just for academic success, but also for future professional opportunities requiring logical reasoning and analytical thinking.

Small School
Interacting and learning across-the-ages in a small school environment teaches empathy, respect, and collaboration.

3. What tradeoffs has your school made to serve families in this way?

As a strategic trade-off, AcadeCap intentionally maintains a small school population—capped at 70 students—to deliver highly personalized, differentiated learning in low teacher-to-student ratio classrooms. Unlocking student potential through individual strengths and exceptionalities is very much achievable in our environment.

Our small size fosters a close-knit, multi-level learning community where every student is known and matters. By prioritizing depth of conceptual connection over scale of knowledge, AcadeCap cultivates an environment where students of different ages and potential learn how to learn, develop agency and problem-solve individually and collaboratively as part of a dynamic educational experience.

This strategy allows us to know each learner well, support their individual growth, and uphold a high standard of academic rigour and achievement for all.

4. What key junctures in your school's history have most shaped its present?

Information not yet available.

5. What type of student is a good fit for your school?

Students who thrive at AcadeCap are curious, engaged, and open to challenge. They seek learning not just for achievement, but for understanding and purpose. They take initiative, solve problems collaboratively, ask questions, make connections, and think critically. They are motivated by purpose and gain confidence through meaningful action—whether in academics, community service, or global engagement.

Families who find the most value in our school see education as more than a means to an end. They support risk-taking, independence, and collaboration in a supportive, communicative environment. They value diversity, global perspectives, and character growth alongside academic success.

AcadeCap is best suited for students and families excited by a student-centered journey that builds resilience, agency, and purpose in an ever-changing world.

6. Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing your school?

AcadeCap is not suited for families seeking a large school setting with big class sizes, believing this fosters social and collaborative skills. Our model emphasizes personalized attention and community, where students develop skills in individual sports like Martial Arts, Track and Field, Cross-country, and Skiing. A physical activity they can embrace for a lifetime. While we offer intramural sports like Lacrosse, Soccer, and Flag Football, our focus is on fostering connections across different age groups, not large school teams.

Our students are expected to engage deeply in academics, including research projects, timely assignments, and experiential learning activities. They participate in math contests, science fairs, and other academic competitions. Students focused mainly on socializing may find it challenging to adapt to our rigorous, purposeful learning rhythm.

To thrive, students must value hard work, agency as well as interaction and collaboration across-the-ages.

7. To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?

Families choose AcadeCap for the convenience, and cost and time-effectiveness of a one-stop, continuous, purposeful education—from bilingual IB PYP through to the OSSD with FSL. This seamless journey allows students to grow in a consistent, supportive environment. Parents value our blend of academic excellence and personal development: the 3-Tier 21st Century Learning Curriculum©, SMILE dyslexia support, enriched science and math, and differentiated instruction. With Phys-ed including Jiu-Jitsu, vibrant arts, third-language learning, hot meals by a Cordon Bleu chef, before/after care, clubs, and iSTEAM and coding camps—all under one roof—families avoid the cost and stress of piecing together extras elsewhere. They appreciate our small-school feel, global outlook, and expert educators. At AcadeCap, learning is purposeful, rigourous, and continuous.

8. How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?

Our students have a voice when it comes to describing Acadecap's most prominent feature .

We are known for adapting for each student in order to figure out what helps them best. Instead of assuming everyone works the same way, students are able to, and encouraged to, explore and find what learning method works best for them. This way, teachers and students are on the same page in their learning journey.

Here at AcadeCap, we are known for our ability to help and adapt to all of our students' learning difficulties and strong suits. Whether it be dyslexia, ADHD, giftedness, or anything else, we can always adapt to the students to give them the best learning opportunities. With our small classes, we put much more focus on each individual student, giving them a tailored experience. In addition to the learning opportunities offered by the teachers, we also have many learning opportunities from fellow students, with students from all sorts of backgrounds, being an international school.

9. What aspect of your school is underappreciated?

AcadeCap’s learning-to-learn approach translates into academic achievement, resilience, agency, and an arsenal of problem-solving strategies when presented with challenges in learning, at work and in life. Contrary to popular belief, large social environments such as large schools do not develop social skills. We capitalize on small groups and across-the-ages interactions to actively engage social and collaborative skills.

AcadeCap students are confident in interacting, communicating, and collaborating with people of all ages, not only their peers.

10. What might families find surprising about your school?

Parents are often impressed by the effectiveness of across-the-ages learning in our mixed-space setting, which combines open-concept areas with focused learning rooms. These flexible spaces, along with small class sizes, support differentiated learning. Students benefit socially and academically through approachable, small-group settings that foster collaboration, skill-building, and lasting friendships.

Our inquiry-based approach promotes strong questioning skills, encouraging students to take intellectual risks in an environment where curiosity and diverse perspectives are valued. Communication, presentation, and interpersonal abilities develop naturally through performances, debates, science fairs, and events like CAPMUN, building public speaking confidence.

Our secondary students have the same post-secondary opportunities as those in larger schools. They earn the OSSD, gain admission to programmes of choice in top universities or colleges, and obtain scholarships.

11. What improvements or changes has your school made recently?

The most important change AcadeCap has made in the fall of 2024 was to move to a new building. Our new home is a NCC 1870 heritage building with an addition built in the early 2000s. The top floor of the addition has been fully opened up to create for the PYP an open space learning environment with natural light and looking onto woodland and greenery; the older section has various size rooms to accommodate various sizes of groups of older students, plus teacher workspaces. From Kindergarten to Grade 12, the students have their homerooms and specialist spaces. They have spaces dedicated to music, art, science, sports, and martial arts. AcadeCap is now surrounded by a large treed green fenced yard, has access to walking and biking nature trails and a large sports field.

Everywhere in AcadeCap’s new home, you will find our students engaged and learning.

Accompanying this huge pivotal move was a revamp of our website, admissions protocols and our physical and outdoor education cursus.

12. How will your school change in the next 5 years?

In the next five years, AcadeCap will enhance its learning-to-learn approach with purposeful actions. With our new campus surrounded by treed green space, we plan to build a yurt, an outdoor theatre, and engage in a solar panel project, supported by a building fund. We’ll develop a nature pedagogy curriculum and streamline our proprietary 21st Century Learning Curriculum ©.

As professional development is key: in June 2025, staff will train in the IB PYP, Marzano Instructional Strategies and DELF scoring and correcting. As Canada’s first and only LabelFrancÉducation school, we’ll expand our FSL resources and training. We’ll also stay current with research from the International Dyslexia Association to better support diverse learners. Our PYP coordinator and team will revamp the Programme of Inquiry, implement the revised IB PYP curriculum, and further refine our in-house planning tool.

These plans will strengthen the differentiated, future-ready education we provide to students.


We got insight from alumni, parents, and students

Académie de la Capitale: Alumni Review from Ina Arora

Watch our alum interview with Ina Arora to learn about the unique experience of attending Académie de la Capitale.
Académie de la Capitale, Alumnus Video Review from Ina Arora

Parent, Yujie Zhang (2025)

(4.6)

JK (current) — Our daughter started JK at AcadeCap in 2024, and it’s been a truly positive experience for her and for us as parents. She genuinely enjoys going to school every day, and we’ve been impressed by how much she’s learned and grown in less than one year. What stands out most is how caring and engaged the teachers are. They really take the time to know each child, and it shows in the way they interact with the students. Our daughter feels supported and confident, which has made a huge difference in how she approaches learning. One of the things we appreciate most is how even the youngest students are included in a wide range of enriching activities. For example, the school’s drama performance, The Nightmare Before Christmas, was a major highlight. Our daughter was so excited about it that we listened to the soundtrack on repeat for months. The experience wasn’t just fun—it also helped her develop confidence speaking in front of others and working as part of a team. Another memorable experience was the Rube Goldberg machine project. It was amazing to see students from Kindergarten to Grade 4 working together to design creative chain reactions, then present their work clearly and enthusiastically. Even the JK students had memorized their lines and presented them with pride. It was a great example of how AcadeCap encourages critical thinking and communication from an early age. We also loved the Pysanky and egg-decorating workshop. The kids used flowers and natural herbs to dye eggs, while learning how different cultures celebrate spring through similar traditions. It was hands-on, culturally rich, and a perfect example of how learning can be engaging and meaningful. These experiences show how AcadeCap values learning through play, exploration, and creativity. When kids are having fun and feel encouraged, they naturally learn, and AcadeCap truly makes that happen.

Parent, Michel Anderson (2025)

(4.8)

Gr. 5 (current) — My son joined this school after a traumatic experience with the administration at another private school in the National Capital Region. What he appreciates most about Académie de la Capitale (Acadecap) is that the faculty and student body feel like an extension of the family. The small, intimate nature of the school means that everyone knows each other and supports one another’s success. He especially feels that his teachers genuinely care about the development of each student and tailor their approach to support the unique qualities and needs of each individual—something that was missing at his previous school, where students were expected to fit into a mold and were treated poorly if they didn’t. That said, due to the school’s smaller size, it doesn’t offer everything that public schools or larger private schools might in terms of labs and extracurricular activities. However, this is more than compensated for by the quality of teaching and the dedication of the staff. For example, multiple teachers showed up on a Saturday to support him at a regional French language competition, something that truly speaks to their commitment beyond the classroom.

Parent, Chandra Iyer (2020)

(5)

Our son joined the school in Junior Kindergarten. It was our son's home away from home. The Kindergarten classroom is a beautiful and tastefully done bright natural sunlit room. Any kid entering the room will be totally attracted to it. That is what happened to our child. Firstly, he formed a strong bond with his teachers and classmates and that helped him in responding to the curriculum in a positive way. The teachers were kind, compassionate, and nurturing. The teacher was able to acknowledge his individual needs while exposing him to new experiences with a variety of new activities. The school and staff instill confidence at a very young age. The first stage performance by our child was always going to be nerve-racking for all involved. However, it was done so beautifully that even after 5 long years it is vividly on our minds. With the IB approach, he liked the encouragement of independent thinking and to come up with his own ideas. The school projects and workshop methods made learning fun for our son. He especially liked the “family-type” environment where older kids worked together with younger grades.
See all reviews (4 total)

Insider community voices

 

Dig deeper into Académie de la Capitale

Compare


Académie de la Capitale logo
Report on Académie de la Capitale
 Add to shortlist
 Add to shortlist
How helpful is this report?
We'd love to hear your feedback at [email protected]
Our Kids

By logging in or creating an account, you agree to Our Kids' Terms and Conditions. Information presented on this page may be paid advertising provided by the advertisers [schools/camps/programs] and is not warranted or guaranteed by OurKids.net or its associated websites. By using this website, creating or logging into an Our Kids account, you agree to Our Kids' Terms and Conditions. Please also see our Privacy Policy. Our Kids ™ © 2023 All rights reserved.

Sign up to receive our exclusive eNews twice a month.


Name
Email
Verify Code
verification image, type it in the box
You can withdraw consent by unsubscribing anytime.


Our Kids
From OUR KIDS, Canada’s Guide to Private Schools,
Camps & Kids' Programs.