As the capital of Canada, Ottawa is home to a wide-ranging and well-organized school system. Whether your child is just starting kindergarten or heading into high school, whether your family speaks English, French, or another language — Ottawa has plenty of school options to meet your needs.

The city follows Ontario's K–12 education model. Kids usually start school around age 4 in Junior Kindergarten, then move on to elementary school (Grades 1–6), middle school (Grades 7–8), and high school (Grades 9–12). To graduate high school, students need to earn enough credits and pass a provincial literacy test. The exact setup might differ a bit from one school to another, but they all stick to the same overall system.

All public schools are funded by the Ontario government and run by a few major school boards in Ottawa. These boards include both English and French systems. If you choose an English public school, your child might have access to a wide variety of programs — like French Immersion, IB (International Baccalaureate), special education support, or even adult education options. Catholic school boards, which are also publicly funded, include religious values in their teachings and put extra emphasis on character development, community service, and moral education — all while still delivering strong academics.

French-language school boards in Ottawa come in two types: Catholic and secular. These schools teach all subjects in French, and they're great for families who want their children to grow up fluent in French and connected to Francophone culture. Many of these schools also offer exciting programs in the arts, sports, and career development. Some even have IB programs. Compared to English schools, French boards tend to focus more on full language immersion and maintaining a strong cultural identity.

Ottawa also has a lively private school scene. These schools don't get government funding and charge tuition, so they can vary widely in price. They aren't tied to any school zones and often have smaller class sizes and more personalized teaching styles. Private schools in the city come in many forms. Some are academically driven, helping students get into top universities. Others offer international programs like IB or AP. There are religious private schools with Christian, Islamic, or Jewish teachings, as well as schools that specialize in music, sports, or language learning. Ottawa also has Montessori and Waldorf schools that promote hands-on, self-directed learning, plus a few schools focused on students with learning differences or those coming from abroad.

With so many options, it's worth taking the time to think about what matters most for your child. Do you want a school that matches your family's values? One with strong arts or sports programs? One that offers French immersion or global education options? Think about your budget, your child's interests and strengths, and your long-term education goals.

Ottawa's school system is all about helping kids grow and succeed in a way that fits who they are. Whether you're after strong academics, language skills, cultural connection, or a more personalized experience — there's a school here that can meet your needs.

Here's how to use these metrics:

a. Buyers can use the benchmark price to understand a community's pricing level and the HPI trend to assess long-term movement.

b. Sellers can use both to price their home competitively and pick the right time to list.

These metrics help both buyers and sellers make informed decisions.