Extracurriculars at Elmwood School

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Elmwood School EXTRACURRICULARS

Elmwood School offers a broad spectrum of extracurricular options, with a strong emphasis on competitive sports and a wide array of clubs and programs to suit diverse interests of students.

Facts and analysis

SPORTS AND ATHLETICS

Sports at Elmwood School are diverse and provide a balance of competitive and recreational options.

For comparison, other Canadian schools we cover typically offer around 7 competitive sports and 8 recreational sport options.

Competitive offered

Recreational offered

Signature sport

Uncommon sport

Archery
Badminton
Baseball
Basketball
Canoeing/Kayaking
Cricket
Cross-country skiing
Curling
Cycling
Downhill skiing
Equestrian
Fencing
Field Hockey
Figure Skating
Football
Golf
Gymnastics
Ice Hockey
Ice Skating
Lacrosse
Martial Arts
Mountain biking
Racquet Ball
Rowing
Rugby
Running
Sailing
Skateboarding
Snowboarding
Soccer
Softball
Squash
Swimming
Tennis
Track & Field
Ultimate
Volleyball
Weightlifting
Wrestling

Why it matters

Beyond promoting physical fitness, school athletics teach life skills like discipline, teamwork, and resilience. A greater variety of sports creates more opportunities for students to develop these skills while building peer connections and a sense of belonging. While competitive sports encourage student-athletes to strive for excellence, recreational sports foster inclusion, exploration, and enjoyment.

CLUBS AND PROGRAMS

Elmwood School offers a highly diverse array of extracurricular clubs and programs.

Other schools we review usually provide about 14 clubs and programs.

Clubs offered

Clubs not offered

Signature program

all clubs and programs]

Animation

Art Club

Astronomy Club

Audiovisual Club

Ballet and Classical Ballet

Band

Chess Club

Choir

Community Service

Computer Club

Dance Club

Debate Club

Drama Club

Environmental Club

Foreign Language Club

Habitat for Humanity

Jazz Ensemble

Math Club

Musical theatre/Opera

Online Magazine

Outdoor Club

Outdoor Education

Paintball

Photography

Poetry/Literature club

Radio club

Robotics club

Round Square

School newspaper

Science Club

Scouting

Student Council

Yearbook

Yoga

Why it matters

Clubs and enrichment programs, including after-school clubs, extend learning beyond the classroom. They encourage creativity, leadership, and friendships while helping students explore passions, build skills, and gain confidence in a low-pressure environment.

Qualitative insights

These insights are based on conversations with parents, alumni, and school leadership. Handpicked and curated by our editor, they offer a close look at how the school is experienced and perceived by those who know it best.

They offer a balanced and engaging experience.

Parents and the broader school community observe that Elmwood School integrates academics, co-curricular activities, and a focus on well-being to prioritize a holistic, happy, and rewarding student journey.

Elmwood School’s personality traits are spirited, welcoming, and forward-thinking. Elmwood School has a house system, where you're sorted into a house, and any ‘spirit afternoon,’ you are in that house, competing in some friendly competition and athletic events. Elmwood School has a house system interwoven into so many aspects of school life, from sports, spirit afternoons, and fundraising events, and it feels like everyone comes together and appreciates that house that they're put into.

—Fumi Shibutani, alum (see full interview)

Apart from academics, the vast array of extracurriculars that Elmwood School offers makes the profile of each Elmwood School girl very different from one another. So I don't know how appropriate it is to describe a ‘quintessential Elmwood School girl,’ because the life of each Elmwood School girl varies so much in what she can pursue. For example, if you're interested in arts and music, we have a wonderful music program with a band that meets twice, three or four times a week. You can pursue IB music. If you're into art, you take extra art sessions at lunch. If you're into sports, you can play sports.

—Sijyl Fasih, alum (see full interview)

Elmwood School is an academic school; we have great sports teams, amazing co-curriculars, and a great leadership program. All of that won't mean anything unless your daughter is happy. So for me, it's making sure that you pick a place that aligns with your values, that as you walk around and look at the girls, you can see your daughter at the place, and see them smiling because if they're not smiling, then everything else we have won't work.

—James Whitehouse, Head of School (see full interview)

Elmwood School girls get to lead in everything. They can be leaders in sports teams. They can be leaders in debate teams. They can be leaders in the classroom. They are the leaders in the school. Sometimes those positions are shared with boys, and sometimes girls don't get the opportunity to lead in a co-ed environment. So all of that, having a daughter myself, made me fall in love with all-girls education and the benefits it brings to these girls as they go from very young to graduating and going out into the world.

—James Whitehouse, Head of School (see full interview)

Elmwood School excels in arts and culture.

Families and alumni positively review Elmwood’s emphasis on arts and culture, praising the esteemed music and theatre programs that encourage dynamic self-expression and surprise in their quality and impact.

Elmwood School has a very strong sports program and athletic program. Our theatre program is certainly well known, not only in Ottawa, but in Ontario, as is our music program.

—James Whitehouse, Head of School (see full interview)

I think what was not expected for us or what we were surprised by was the focus on arts and culture at Elmwood. By that, I mean the music and the theatre programs. I never would have expected that they would be so well developed as they were.

—Julie, parent (see full discussion)

There is a strong emphasis, obviously, on academics and learning and challenging children, but there's also a creative spirit of really encouraging and cultivating creative activity, whether it's art or music or performance. And self-expression, I think, is really encouraged. It's wonderful to see my daughter really enjoying the performing arts, and music, and she is developing more and more confidence year by year in those activities.

—Swathi Kappagantula, parent (see full interview)

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Elmwood School EXTRACURRICULARS

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Facts and analysis

SPORTS AND ATHLETICS

Why it matters

CLUBS AND PROGRAMS

Why it matters

Qualitative insights

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EVALUATE YOUR SCHOOLS

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Elmwood School EXTRACURRICULARS

Page Contents

Facts and analysis

SPORTS AND ATHLETICS

Why it matters

CLUBS AND PROGRAMS

Why it matters

Qualitative insights

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