Frequently Asked Questions
About Turnbull School
Why do Ottawa families choose Turnbull School?
Ottawa families choose Turnbull School for rigorous academics, small classes and a caring community where every child is known. Turnbull is an independent, co-educational elementary school for children from Kindergarten (JK and SK) to Grade 8, centrally located in Ottawa near the Central Experimental Farm. Its building, facilities and programs are designed exclusively for elementary-aged children. Turnbull is a member of the Ontario Federation of Independent Schools (OFIS) and the Ottawa Independent Schools Athletic Association (OISAA).
Academics extend well beyond the Ontario curriculum. Every child also finds something that motivates them: competitive athletics, music, visual arts, drama, STEM and robotics, clubs, community service and class trips. Our graduates leave confident, well-rounded and ready for the demands of high school.
What kind of student thrives at Turnbull School?
Turnbull is an excellent fit for curious, motivated children who enjoy learning and treat others with respect. Our classroom environments are focused and respectful, so students feel safe to ask questions, take on challenges and do their best work.
Character is taught deliberately. Each month the whole school focuses on a core character trait, and students are recognized for acts of kindness. We welcome families who share these values and want to work in partnership with their child’s teachers.
What is the community like at Turnbull School?
The Turnbull community is inclusive and caring. Families come from a wide range of backgrounds and nationalities, and because students join at different grades, children are used to welcoming new classmates into their classes and friendships.
Teachers make a point of knowing each child well and support every part of their learning with care. Parents who want to be involved can join our Parent Volunteer Committee.
How does Turnbull School communicate with parents?
Turnbull makes communication with parents a priority, and teachers aim to respond to every email and phone call within one school day.
- Meet the Teacher event: Each fall, parents meet their child’s teachers and learn what the year ahead will look like.
- Calls from your child’s teacher: Homeroom teachers have two scheduled calls a year with every family to discuss academic and social progress, and they also call throughout the year whenever there’s something to share.
- Progress reports and report cards: Parents receive two progress reports and two report cards each year.
- Parent interviews: Two sets of parent interviews each year give parents time to talk with teachers one-on-one about their child’s progress.
- Open-door principals: The Junior School and Senior School principals have open-door policies and are readily available to meet in person or by phone.
- Accessible leadership: The school’s Directors are responsive and welcome conversations with parents.
Academics
What are the class sizes at Turnbull School?
| Grades | Class size |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten | 10 students per teacher |
| Grades 1-3 (primary) | 12-14 students per class |
| Grades 4-6 (junior) | 15-16 students per homeroom |
| Grades 7-8 (senior) | Up to 18 students per homeroom |
Is Kindergarten full-day at Turnbull School?
Yes. Both Junior Kindergarten (JK) and Senior Kindergarten (SK) at Turnbull are full-day programs. Kindergarten classes have 10 students per teacher, and children have physical education every day and music classes twice a week.
Are Turnbull School teachers qualified?
Yes. Every Turnbull teacher is certified by and in good standing with the Ontario College of Teachers. In Grades 7 and 8, each subject is taught by a specialist in that subject, and many primary and junior teachers hold additional specialist qualifications.
Does Turnbull School have a strong STEM program?
Yes. Turnbull offers a hands-on science program at every grade, a weekly technology program in Grades 1-8 and a full calendar of math and computing competitions.
- Science: Primary and junior students follow the Ontario curriculum, and small classes give them time for extra experiments and building projects. Grade 7 and 8 students learn in a well-equipped science lab, use the scientific method and write formal lab reports.
- Science fair: The Turnbull Science Fair is a school-wide event. Students in Kindergarten to Grade 2 each complete a science project and share their findings with parents and the Turnbull community at an Open House. Students in Grades 3-5 work in small groups on experiments and also present at the Open House. Grade 6 students run their own experiments using the scientific method and present them to their peers. Grade 7 and 8 students choose, research and run their own experiments, write formal reports and present to outside judges. Top students represent Turnbull at the Ottawa Regional Science Fair, and our students are regularly selected from there for the Canada-Wide Science Fair.
- Technology: Students in Grades 1-8 have a double period of technology every week, covering coding, programming and robotics. Grades 6-8 work in a dedicated Tech Lab with a 3D printer, VEX IQ robotics kits and micro:bits.
- Competitions: Students can challenge themselves in the Beaver Computing Challenge (Grades 5-8), the University of Waterloo Gauss Contest (Grades 7-8), the North Star Mathematics Contests (Grades 1-8, five times a year), the Canadian National Mathematics League Contest (Grades 4-8), Mathematica Centrum (Grades 3-6) and our Math Team (Grades 6-8).
Will my child be ready for French Immersion after Turnbull School?
Yes. Turnbull students can continue in French Immersion in high school. Every student has six French classes a week, and from Grade 4 students are grouped by proficiency so each child progresses at the right pace.
Our students come with many French backgrounds: francophone, early or late immersion, Core French, or new to French. Differentiated groups let each child build on their strengths.
The Advanced French pathway offers a faster pace, enriched content and more complex speaking, reading and writing. In the spring of Grade 8, students in this pathway can write the DELF B1 Scolaire Junior, an internationally recognized French proficiency exam.
Are Turnbull graduates prepared for high school and university?
Yes. Turnbull graduates leave with strong academics and, just as important, the study habits to succeed in high school and university. Alumni and their families regularly come back to thank us.
Turnbull graduates go on to a variety of high schools. Many attend their local public high school, and some enrol in local private high schools. Every year, Turnbull students are accepted into International Baccalaureate (IB) programs and specialized arts and athletics programs at Ottawa-area schools.
- Academics beyond the curriculum: Learning extends well past the Ontario curriculum.
- Exam experience: Grade 7 and 8 students write two exam sessions a year in math, English, French, science and social studies. They are taught how to prepare, organize their time and write exams well.
- Lasting skills: Graduates are skilled essay and lab report writers, confident public speakers and presenters, proficient in French and strong critical thinkers.
Alumni often tell their former teachers they still use these strategies in university.
Beyond the classroom
Does Turnbull School have a sports program?
Yes. Every Turnbull student has physical education every day, and students can also play intramural sports and, from Grade 5, try out for competitive school teams.
- Daily physical education: Qualified physical education teachers lead every class in our large double gymnasium and on our athletic fields. Students build fundamental skills, fitness and a lasting appreciation for active, healthy living.
- Intramurals: At lunch, students join teams to play with and against each other, and each activity ends with a championship game. Senior students often build leadership skills by refereeing.
- Turnbull Tornadoes teams: From Grade 5, students can try out for soccer, cross-country running, basketball, volleyball, badminton, dance, touch rugby, hockey, ultimate frisbee and track and field. Teams compete in the Ottawa Independent Schools Athletic Association (OISAA), travel to play other independent schools and run in community races. Students in Grades 3 and 4 also play other schools in friendly tournaments.
Students also look forward to our annual school track meet at the Terry Fox Athletic Facility.
Does Turnbull School have a music program?
Yes. Every student from Kindergarten to Grade 8 has formal music classes twice a week, and the program’s popularity led Turnbull to open a new music hall in 2021.
Instrumental learning builds year by year: recorder in Grade 3, ukulele in Grade 4, and woodwind, brass and percussion from Grade 5.
The Primary Choir (Grades 1-2) and the Grade 3 Choir both perform at our concerts and assemblies. The Grade 6-8 Choir performs at school events and in the community, including the Capital Region MusicFest. The Turnbull School Band, made up of selected musicians, performs at assemblies and outside events. The band has played across Canada and consistently earns Gold at both the Capital Region and National MusicFests.
Does Turnbull School offer visual arts and drama?
Yes. Every student has two periods of the arts each week. Students in Grades 4-8 take visual arts for half the year and drama for the other half. Both are scheduled as double periods, so there is time for theory and hands-on work.
Grades 1-3 learn and practise the styles of different artists, working in a range of mediums. Grades 4-8 work in a dedicated visual arts room, and drama classes take place in a dedicated drama room.
The Turnbull Drama Troupe, for Grades 6-8, is one of our most popular activities. Students spend the year learning lines, choreographing dances and rehearsing songs for a full musical at year end. Past productions include The Wizard of Oz, Annie, Peter Pan and Beauty and the Beast. The Turnbull Dance Team meets weekly and performs at events throughout the year.
Does Turnbull School offer clubs?
Yes. Turnbull offers a wide selection of clubs over the lunch hour to meet the interests of our students. Clubs include Student Council, Yearbook, Students for Global Awareness, the Turnbull Tribune (our school newspaper), D & D Club and Chess Club.
Does Turnbull School fundraise?
No. Turnbull School never asks families to raise money or donate to the school. Instead, students participate in three charitable campaigns a year for others, learning to understand community needs and act on them.
- Fall: United Way, supporting our local Ottawa community.
- December: Help Lesotho, supporting people in Lesotho, Africa.
- May: The Ottawa Hospital, supporting a different area of patient care each year.
The goal is for students to grow into thoughtful, socially conscious citizens who give back to their communities.
Daily life
Is there a lunch program at Turnbull School?
Yes. Several outside caterers offer daily lunch options that families can order.
Does Turnbull School offer before- and after-school care?
Yes. Students can be dropped off at school as early as 7:30 a.m., at no additional cost. After school, families can register for Turnbull’s aftercare program, choosing either the regular daily program or a flexible drop-in option to suit their schedule. Aftercare runs from dismissal until 5:30 p.m. and has an additional fee; contact the school for rates.
How do students get to Turnbull School?
Most Turnbull families drive their children to school or take part in the Turnbull School carpool. Private shuttle companies also offer transportation to the school.
Does Turnbull School have a uniform?
Turnbull School does not have a daily uniform. Students follow a dress code and wear a Turnbull golf shirt for special occasions. Students in Grades 4-8 also wear a physical education uniform. Students who want to show their Turnbull pride can buy school spirit wear, including hoodies, T-shirts, jackets and hats.
Admissions and tuition
What should I look for in a private school?
When choosing a private school, look at class sizes, teacher qualifications, communication with parents, programs beyond academics, total cost and how graduates do in high school, and visit during a regular school day. The right fit depends on your child, but these questions help any family compare schools.
- Class size: How many students are in each class, and how does that change as children get older?
- Split classes: Does each grade have its own class, or are grades combined in split classes?
- Teachers: Are teachers certified by the Ontario College of Teachers, and are older grades taught by subject specialists?
- Communication: How often will you hear from your child’s teachers, and how quickly do they respond?
- Programs beyond academics: What do the arts, athletics, French and extracurricular programs offer, and at which grades?
- Total cost: What does tuition include, and what costs extra?
- Graduates: Where do students go after graduation, and how well prepared are they?
A school-day visit: Seeing regular classes in session shows how a school works day to day.
Families considering Turnbull are welcome to book a tour to see these in practice.
How much is tuition at Turnbull School?
Annual tuition at Turnbull School for the 2026-2027 school year is $24,450 for Kindergarten and $26,950 for Grades 1-8. Tuition covers all regular programs; aftercare and some extracurricular activities have an additional cost. Turnbull does not offer financial aid or sibling discounts.
Turnbull does not ask families to fundraise for the school. See “Does Turnbull School fundraise?” above.