Meet the Founder
Mary Ann S. Turnbull
Mary Ann Turnbull has dedicated her life to advancing education and supporting students’ success. With a B.Sc. in Psychology from the University of Toronto, graduate studies at the Institute of Child Studies, and both a B.Ed. and M.Ed. from the University of Ottawa, she also holds a Specialist level in Special Education. Since the early 1970s, Mary Ann worked as a teacher and administrator, earning recognition as “Educational Leader of the Year” and receiving multiple awards for her professional and community contributions. Having retired as Director in 2013, she continues to enjoy attending school functions and being a champion for Turnbull School in the community.
The Turnbull Story
Turnbull School’s story began in 1992, growing out of the success of the Turnbull Learning Centre, which first opened its doors in 1981. Originally housed in a Victorian home on Argyle Street, the Centre offered part-time programs and summer school, where small classes and dedicated teachers allowed children to thrive. Parents saw their children excited to learn, even during the summer, and consistently expressed a desire for a full-time school that could provide the same supportive and enriching environment.
Inspired by this feedback, Mary Ann Turnbull founded a full-time school on Sherwood Drive near Carling Avenue, welcoming 30 students in September 1992. As the school grew, additional space was rented in nearby buildings to accommodate increasing enrollment.
Recognizing the need for a permanent home, Mrs. Turnbull acquired a 5½-acre parcel of land on Fisher Avenue from the NCC. By April 1996, construction was complete, and 150 students moved into a bright, modern facility designed to support learning, community, and growth. Over the years, the school expanded carefully, focusing on quality rather than sheer numbers. This included a new wing for grades 7 and 8, a double gymnasium for daily physical education, and a specially designed early education centre for Kindergarten.
Turnbull School today
Today, Turnbull School continues to uphold its founding values: small classes that foster close relationships, highly skilled teachers who promote excellence, and an environment where every child can flourish. The school maintains a sense of community and personal attention, while multiple classes at each grade provide social diversity. More recent physical enhancements include updated Visual Arts and Drama rooms. In 2021, Turnbull School opened a new state of the art Music Hall to accommodate the growing interest in our instrumental music and concert band programs. September 2025 marked the opening of the school’s new Technology Lab, where students participate in a variety of STEM education which include robotics and 3D Printing.
For more details on the vision and goals Mary Ann Turnbull set out to achieve, visit our mission page. Turnbull School remains deeply committed to those original principles, continuing to nurture confident, capable, and compassionate learners.
Where to find out more
We welcome you in to see the school, teachers and children in action! Individual meetings and tours can be arranged by scheduling a tour or call 613-729-9940 for more information.
A day at Turnbull
See the day schedule for students at Turnbull.