The regions Elmwood School offers busing from are:
Additional notes: We offer service to select areas of the city.
The 50-page review of Elmwood School is part of our series of in-depth accounts of Canada's leading private schools. It provides a unique and objective perspective on the school's academics, programs, culture, and community.
Read our in-depth review"Elmwood School is grounded in a clear belief: girls thrive in an environment intentionally designed for them. For more than a century, Elmwood has created a learning experience where each student is known, valued, and inspired to reach her full potential. As an all-girls school, Elmwood removes barriers and expands possibility. Students step forward with confidence, engage deeply in their learning, and explore every subject with curiosity and assurance. This is not about separation, but about equity, creating the conditions for girls to lead, take risks, and define their own paths. Elmwood’s academic programme is both rigorous and purposeful. As the first school in North America to offer all three International Baccalaureate programmes, it provides a seamless continuum that develops critical thinking, global awareness, and a lifelong love of learning. With small class sizes and exceptional educators, learning is personal and transformational. Beyond the classroom, a strong sense of belonging, well-being, and leadership development ensures each student grows with confidence, integrity, and compassion. An Elmwood graduate is prepared not only for what comes next but to shape it. She is curious, capable, and truly unstoppable."
We deliver a world-class education—one that challenges girls academically while empowering them to lead with confidence and integrity. Our all-girls environment, IB continuum, and Apple Distinguished School designation are more than accolades. They are reflections of a learning culture in which girls are encouraged to ask bold questions, explore complex ideas, and develop their own voices. From our house system that honours pioneering women to our newly reimagined Learning Commons, every space and program is designed to inspire curiosity, deepen belonging, and help each student grow into her best self.
We have made a conscious decision to focus exclusively on girls. This means we design every element of our program—from the way we teach STEM, to how we structure leadership opportunities, to the language we use in our classrooms—with girls at the centre. We know that girls’ schools create environments where girls are more likely to take risks, challenge stereotypes, and become the authors of their own success stories. This singular focus allows us to go deeper, to do better, and to deliver an education that is purpose-built for girls’ growth and empowerment.
Our journey has been marked by bold choices and thoughtful evolution. Elmwood’s commitment to girls’ education has long been a defining pillar of our mission—one that continues to inspire and guide us today, particularly in our Middle and Senior Schools. Our founder, Theodora Philpot, was a woman ahead of her time. She championed “the best modern methods,” always with a vision for the future: that Elmwood students would grow to be “joyous, companionable, strong and free”—qualities that continue to shape our spirit and aspirations today. In 1978, we proudly became one of Canada’s earliest adopters of the IB Programme. Since then, we have continued to invest in innovation, from achieving full IB continuum status to being recognized as an Apple Distinguished School. At every step, we have remained true to our founding values while preparing students for a world that demands adaptability, ethical leadership, and imagination.
Elmwood is the right place for a girl who is ready to be known, inspired, and challenged. Our students are intellectually curious and deeply engaged in the world around them. They care about fairness and integrity. They are motivated not only to succeed, but to contribute. Whether a budding scientist, artist, athlete, or activist, a girl who thrives at Elmwood is one who values meaningful relationships, embraces new perspectives, and wants to grow into a leader who makes a difference.
We are not the right fit for every family. Elmwood is a purposefully all-girls school, and our inquiry-based, globally focused IB approach may not align with families seeking a more traditional, textbook-based curriculum. Our students are active participants in their learning, and we place a strong emphasis on initiative, collaboration, and personal responsibility.
Families choose Elmwood because they want more than strong academics—they want a school that sees their daughter as a whole person. They are drawn to our outstanding IB results, our proven university placement record, and our vibrant, inclusive community. But more than that, they appreciate our commitment to nurturing confidence, leadership, and joy. They see how their daughters grow here, not just as students, but as people who are empowered to dream big and step forward with purpose.
Elmwood is known across Ottawa and beyond as a leader in girls’ education—respected for our academic rigour, our innovation, and our unwavering belief in every girl’s potential. We have earned a reputation for developing compassionate, confident graduates who are ready to thrive in a complex and changing world. Our alumni speak volumes: they are thoughtful, capable, and courageous, carrying the Elmwood spirit with them wherever they go.
While our academic excellence often takes centre stage, the depth of our community spirit is something truly special. Elmwood is a place where every girl is known by name and celebrated for who she is. Our commitment to wellbeing, our culture of mentorship, and our dedication to student voice and belonging are foundational. Initiatives like Round Square, International Cultures Club, and our International Trips Program reveal our deep engagement with global citizenship, diversity, and inclusion—qualities that are lived daily but not always seen from the outside.
Many families are surprised by how joyful learning can be at Elmwood. Our students work hard, but they also laugh, create, explore, and connect deeply. Our integration of technology is advanced and intentional, designed to spark collaboration and agency. Families often comment on the incredible range of co-curriculars, and on how quickly their daughters feel at home here. What surprises them most, perhaps, is how much their daughters grow in just a short time—academically, emotionally, and socially.
We are always evolving to meet the needs of our students. Recently, we launched a mentorship program connecting students with Canadian women leaders. We transformed our Learning Commons into a hub for inquiry, collaboration, and creativity. We upgraded our dining and wellness spaces to better support the whole student experience. And we continue to invest in our facilities, including athletic spaces, to ensure every aspect of student life reflects our commitment to excellence and care.
Rooted in our mission to develop confident, capable young women, Elmwood’s future is guided by our "Space to Lead" campaign—where environment amplifies impact. Our plans focus on creating purposeful, human-centred spaces that strengthen how girls learn, lead, and connect. These spaces will support collaboration, creativity, well-being, and voice, ensuring students are not only prepared academically but also empowered to take initiative and shape their world.
In the coming years, this vision will deepen our distinct approach: exceptional teaching, right-sized classes and a culture where every girl is known and challenged. By aligning our physical spaces with our proven program, we will amplify leadership potential and practice through experience. For families, this means a school that not only believes in their daughter’s potential but actively builds for it, delivering an education that is both deeply personal and future-focused.
Hear directly from Elmwood School families and alumni as they share insights.
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