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Curriculum IB (DP), Canadian Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages English, French, Spanish
Typical class size 17
Strengths STEM, Performing Arts, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Primary School, Middle School, Secondary School, High School
Introduction
Ashbury College is an independent day and boarding school for Grades 3–12, on a 13‑acre campus in Ottawa, Ontario. It offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB DP) and an Ashbury program alongside the curriculum. The Ontario Secondary School Diploma is awarded with 30 course credits, 40 hours of community service, and the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test; the Ashbury Diploma adds required courses in French or another international language, physical education, arts, and world social studies, plus 60 hours of community service and nine terms of co‑curricular activities. A bilingual Ashbury Diploma is available with seven French credits. The school offers the IB Diploma or bilingual IB Diploma. Founded in 1891, Ashbury moved to Rockcliffe Park in 1910 and has expanded with facilities including Molson Library & Resource Centre, Centre for Science & Innovation with six labs, theatres, gym, and three boarding houses: Heather Gillin Residence, Matthews House, Maple Residence.
362 Mariposa Ave, Rockcliffe Park, ON K1M 0T3, Canada
The Essentials
Ashbury College has 865 pupils, typical class sizes of 17, instruction in English, French.
Location
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The campus is in a quiet, safe neighbourhood in Canada's capital. It is close to downtown Ottawa and near green spaces and cultural amenities. Ottawa is well serviced by an international airport (30 minutes from campus) and a train station (10 minutes from campus).
Stages
Junior School (Grades 3–8) and Senior School (Grades 9–12); Ashbury serves students from Grade 3 through Grade 12.
Type
Independent day and boarding school for students in Grades 3–12.
Pupil Nationality Mix
More than 60 countries represented.
Additional learning support
A multidisciplinary student support team includes a School Counsellor (MSW), a Nurse (RN), Learning Strategists, a Chapel and Life Skills Coordinator, and a Director of Student Success and Wellness; supports Learning Success, Social/Emotional Well-Being, and Physical Health.
Country affiliation
Canada
Fees
Application and enrollment fees
- Application fee (non-refundable): CAD 250. - One-time Enrollment Fee (non-refundable) payable upon acceptance: - CAD 5,000 — Day students, Grades 4–9 (who do not require a study permit). - CAD 5,000 — Boarding students entering Grade 9. - CAD 8,500 — Day students, Grades 4–9 who require a study permit. - CAD 8,500 — Day and Boarding students entering Grades 10–12. The enrollment fee secures the student's place and is not an advance on tuition. - Student security deposit (opens student account): - CAD 600 for Day and Homestay students. - CAD 1,000 for Boarding students. The deposit is held on account and credited against outstanding charges when the student leaves (no interest paid).
Tuition — headline totals for the 2026–27 academic year
- Day student annual tuition: CAD 40,920. - Boarding student annual tuition: CAD 87,660. Boarding tuition includes on-campus meals and the student health plan for boarders/homestay students; the Tuition Refund Plan (TRP) is included for boarding students.
Billing schedule and payment terms (standard school schedules and instalment structure)
- Payment plan options: Regular Plan (four scheduled payments) or Extended Plan (monthly instalments across the school year). The College posts specific payment dates and the available plan choices during enrollment.
- Typical Regular Plan schedule (example instalment dates used by the school): payments are due on Mar 1, May 15, Aug 15 and Nov 15; the Regular Plan divides annual tuition into three larger instalments followed by a smaller final instalment. Example instalment pattern under a Regular Plan (illustrative breakdown as used in the school's published payment schedules): - First instalment (due Mar 1): one third of the larger portion of tuition. - Second instalment (due May 15): equal to the first instalment. - Third instalment (due Aug 15): equal to the first instalment. - Final instalment (due Nov 15): remaining balance (smaller). The school also offers an Extended Plan that spreads the balance into monthly payments (example: May 15 to Jan 15 in equal monthly amounts). Families must select a payment plan on the Enrollment Agreement and adhere to the specified payment dates; late or unpaid balances may incur interest and collection actions.
Boarding charges and what they cover
- Annual boarding tuition (headline): CAD 87,660. Boarding fees cover room, meals (including evening snacks), access to boarding-house facilities, and the student health insurance provided to boarders/homestay students. Additional boarding charges may appear on the monthly student account for incidental items such as dry cleaning, healthcare costs not covered by insurance, taxis and optional weekend excursions.
Other mandatory and typical additional costs
- Uniforms (Dress
1, Dress 2 and Phys Ed items): typical total range CAD 800–1,000 charged to student account depending on quantities purchased. The School Store lists individual uniform item prices and quantities.
- Lunch Meal Plan (Day and Homestay students; boarding food included in boarding fees): CAD 1,900 (charged to student account in September under the meal-plan arrangement). Snacks outside the plan are billed separately. - Textbooks and e-books: typical range CAD 400–1,000 (supplier-dependent). - Art program charge (in lieu of a textbook for some art courses): CAD 130–170. - School fee (local transport, yearbook, photos, access card, lock, agenda): CAD 750 (standard school fee). - Stationery and incidental supplies: approximately CAD 50–80. - Math calculator (recommended model): approximately CAD 200. - Music equipment rental (where applicable): CAD 180–220. - IB program administrative fees (for students in the IB Diploma or individual IB courses): - IB Diploma program fee (two-year Diploma): CAD 3,500 (invoiced as CAD 1,750 in Year 1 and CAD 1,750 in Year 2). - Individual IB Standard Level course fee (two-year course): CAD 500 (CAD 250 Year 1 / CAD 250 Year 2). - Individual IB Higher Level course fee (two-year course): CAD 1,250 (invoiced CAD 250 Year 1 / CAD 1,000 Year 2). These IB fees are charged in addition to basic tuition. - Transcripts and administrative service fees: Government-certified transcripts for international students CAD 125; other transcript requests typically CAD 8–35 plus shipping when applicable. - Optional costs and trip/event charges vary by activity (co-curricular travel, team fees, theatre events, external exams, university application fees). Sibling discounts are offered for third and subsequent children (example credit: CAD 1,000 for a day student, CAD 2,000 for a boarding student credited on the student account).
Refunds, cancellations and the Tuition Refund Plan
- Enrollment Fee: non-refundable in all cases. Student security deposit is credited to the student account or applied to outstanding balances when the student leaves; remaining deposit balances for graduating students are refunded after the school year unless donated. - Cancellation fees (charged when a family cancels an enrollment prior to the start of the school year) follow a staged schedule. Example cancellation amounts (illustrative timing tiers used in the published cancellation schedule): - Between acceptance and up to April 1: Day CAD 6,000 / Boarder CAD 16,000. - After April 1 up to June 15: Day CAD 14,000 / Boarder CAD 34,000. - After June 15 up to July 15: Day CAD 20,000 / Boarder CAD 48,000. - After July 15: full annual fees are payable. Cancellation fees are separate from and are not covered by the Tuition Refund Plan. - Tuition Refund Plan (TRP): an insurance-based plan that reimburses a percentage of tuition if a student withdraws or is dismissed after attending for at least 14 consecutive calendar days. TRP is included automatically for boarding and homestay students and for day students on the Extended Plan; it is optional for day students on the Regular Plan (a premium is charged to the student account if elected or required). Example TRP premium for Day students on the Regular Plan (example premium amount): CAD 508.95 (includes applicable tax). TRP does not cover forced school closings and does not cover cancellation fees that apply before coverage begins.
Fee payment methods and terms
- Accepted payment methods: cheque, cash (limited), money order, post-dated cheques, online banking (set the school up as a payee and reference the student ID), pre-authorized debit plans, and credit card. A service fee applies to credit-card transactions (example service fee: 3.4% of the transaction). Families may arrange alternate payment schedules with Student Billing subject to approval by the Chief Financial Officer. The school offers international payment facilitation options for families living abroad (payment providers and details are available through the school's family payment resources). Interest and late-payment fees may be charged on overdue balances; accounts substantially past due may affect a student's enrollment status and access to transcripts.
How fees are presented on account statements
- Tuition is invoiced according to the selected payment plan and dates; additional mandatory and optional charges (meal plan, school fees, IB fees, uniform store charges, trip fees, incidental boarding charges) are posted to the student's account and billed on the monthly statement with payment due on receipt. Interest at the published monthly rate may apply to overdue amounts. Security deposits and sibling credits are posted to the account per the published billing rules.
Academics
Ashbury College teaches IB (DP), Canadian Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum.
Curriculum
The Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) is awarded with 30 course credits, 40 hours of community service, and the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test. Ashbury issues its own Ashbury Diploma with additional required courses in French or an international language, physical and health education, arts, and world social studies, plus 60 hours of community service and nine terms of co-curricular activities. A bilingual Ashbury Diploma is available for students who earn seven French credits (four Extended or Immersion French and three French-taught social science courses). The school offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) alongside Ontario qualifications; in Grades 11 and 12, students pursue IB courses in English with the option to complete the full IB Diploma or bilingual IB Diploma through the French program or a Language A option. In 2019, 34 students pursued the IB Diploma and 12 earned the IB bilingual Diploma, with the highest Diploma score of 42 and a Diploma pass rate of 97%.
Student Teacher Ratio
Average class size is 17.
Exam Results
IB Diploma outcomes: 34 full Diploma students and 12 bilingual Diploma recipients; the highest Diploma score was 42 and the Diploma pass rate was 97%. SAT mean results (2018–2019) were 1,296 total (ERW 643, Math 604); ACT mean results (2018–2019) were 30.
Higher Education Progression
The school reports a 100% university placement rate. Destinations include the University of Ottawa, McGill University, University of Toronto, Queen's University, and various U.S. universities (e.g., Amherst College, Harvard University).
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Ashbury College has a multidisciplinary team that guides students in their personal growth, health, and wellness. The team acts as a circle of care to address academic, social/emotional, and physical needs. Members include the School Counsellor (MSW), Nurse (RN), Learning Strategists, Chapel and Life Skills Coordinator, and Director of Student Success and Wellness. Learning Strategists support diverse learners with differentiated instruction and academic coaching, and individualized learning plans are designed for students with diagnosed learning exceptionalities to help them achieve their academic potential. Online support includes keep.meSAFE Mental Wellness, providing 24/7/365 access to counsellors in students' language and culture via the My SSP app.
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Ashbury College recognizes the diversity of student learning needs. In both Junior and Senior School, teachers differentiate instruction and assessments to support all learners. Learning Strategists provide extra help, academic coaching, and support for executive functioning, studying, and general learning skills. Learning Strategists work with teachers to meet the needs of all learners. Individualized learning plans are designed for students with diagnosed learning exceptionalities to help them achieve their academic potential.
Mental Wellbeing
The school provides a School Counsellor (MSW) to support mental health and personal growth, offering a safe space for students to share their stories and to have needs assessed with brief counselling and external referrals when needed. The Life Skills and Chapel Coordinator delivers character education and provides pastoral care for students and families. Online support includes keep.meSAFE by guard.me, offering 24/7/365 access to counsellors in students' language via the My SSP app for Grades 8–12. The keep.meSAFE program is integrated with Guard.Me Insurance.
Safeguarding
Ashbury College uses a circle of care led by a multidisciplinary team to capture student needs, including the School Counsellor, Nurse, Learning Strategists, Chapel and Life Skills Coordinator, and Director of Student Success and Wellness. The School Counsellor assesses needs, provides brief counselling, and refers to external resources when needed. The Life Skills and Chapel Coordinator provides pastoral care and life-skills guidance through a non-denominational Chapel Program. Keep.meSAFE mental wellness support provides 24/7/365 access to counsellors in multiple languages via the My SSP app. A on-campus Wellness Center nurse supports students' physical health, contributing to safeguarding and well-being.
Admissions
Admissions
Senior School admissions accept day and boarding students. Applications are accepted year-round, but the day program is competitive, so apply early for entry the following September. Space is limited for Grades 10 and 11, and offers are made dependent on space; Grade 12 intake is rare. Boarding admissions are available for Grades 9–11.
Junior School intake years are Grades 3, 4, 6, and 7. Applications for Grades 5 and 8 are kept on file in case places become available. The first round of admissions is held in December for families applying in October or November; from January, rolling admissions review applications as space becomes available. Early applications are encouraged to maximize chances, and a limited number of positions exist for the French Social Studies homeroom in Grade 7.
Rolling admissions begin in January each year. Applications can be submitted any time once the process opens; once an application is complete, the Admissions committee reviews it for fit and, if a vacancy exists, offers the place. Decisions are typically provided within one week of a complete application, and families are encouraged to expedite the process due to limited positions.
Boarding admissions are welcome for Grades 9–11. Boarding spaces operate under rolling admissions, but spaces are usually filled by March of each year. This aligns with the overall admissions approach for day students.
Financial information includes an Enrollment Fee upon acceptance and Tuition for the 2026–27 year, with Day students paying 40,920 CAD and Boarding students 87,660 CAD. Custodianship, visas and insurance are coordinated with partner organizations, and guard.me provides insurance options.
Scholarships
Ashbury offers Merit Awards and Bursaries. Bursaries are need-based and awarded to students with demonstrated financial need, scholastic achievement, good character and a capacity to contribute to the school; endowment funds are reserved for bursary recipients in Grades 7–12. Merit awards are competitive and awarded to less than 5% of new students.
FAQs
What curriculum does Ashbury College follow?
Ashbury offers the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) alongside the IB Diploma Programme. Students can earn a bilingual Ashbury Diploma by completing seven French credits. The school's own diploma adds requirements in French, arts, PE and community service.
What age range does Ashbury accept?
Ashbury serves students from age 8 to 18, covering Grades 3 through 12 in Junior School and Senior School.
Does Ashbury offer boarding?
Yes, Ashbury has on-campus boarding in three dormitories: Heather Gillin Residence, Matthews House and Maple Residence. Boarders come from over 60 countries and live in a residential community with meals, activities and weekend programming.
What are the IB results?
Ashbury's IB Diploma pass rate is 97%, with the highest score reaching 42 out of 45. The school had 34 full Diploma students and 12 bilingual Diploma recipients.
What is the university placement rate?
Ashbury achieves 100% university placement for its graduates.
What are the class sizes?
Average class size is 17 students.
How many students attend Ashbury?
Approximately 865 students attend Ashbury College, representing over 60 countries.
What languages are taught?
French and English are core languages, with a bilingual diploma available. The IB Programme also offers Spanish and other international languages. An ESL Summer Boarding Program provides English immersion.
What facilities does Ashbury have?
The 13-acre campus includes a Centre for Science and Innovation with six labs, the Molson Library and Resource Centre, two gymnasiums, three boarding residences, dining facilities and the Student Success Centre.
Does Ashbury have a house system?
Yes, Junior School houses are Dragons, Goblins, Hobbits and Wizards. Senior School houses are Woollcombe, New House, Alexander and Connaught.
What are the admissions requirements?
Applications are accepted year-round. Day and boarding students apply through the admissions office. Space is limited in Grades 10-11 and Grade 12 intake is rare. The school is competitive so early application is recommended.
Does Ashbury offer financial aid?
Yes, Ashbury offers merit awards and need-based bursaries. Bursaries are awarded to students demonstrating financial need, scholastic achievement and good character.
When was Ashbury founded?
Ashbury College was founded in 1891 by George Penrose Woollcombe as a three-room boys' school on Wellington Street in Ottawa. It moved to its current 13-acre Rockcliffe Park campus in 1910.
