Testimonials
Elmwood families want the best for their daughters. They want more opportunities, great teaching, the best resources, the latest innovations, small class sizes and a welcoming environment. Elmwood performs.
Here's what our parents are saying:
"When we moved to Ottawa we were happy to have an all-girls school choice for our daughters. Both Court and Sam benefited from the excellent and caring teachers and a strong foundation was laid for their high school years."
- Brian Peters
"The search for an ideal school for our daughter—one that would build upon the foundation we had laid during the first four years of her life—ended the moment we walked into Elmwood School. One of the first things you notice at Elmwood is the multitude of genuine smiles that greet you, from both staff and students. What you notice next is the abiding spirit of mentorship, within a rich academic environment. Everyone cares for everyone else at this school. We were also quite moved when, at the end of the first week of school, our daughter’s teacher, Ms Kate Meadowcroft, thoughtfully conveyed her thanks to all new parents for entrusting her with our little ones. This sense of warmth and family is at once reassuring and uplifting.
Elmwood encourages its students to discover new things about themselves, to strive for academic excellence, and to be independent and confident members of the school community. At the core of these important objectives is an underlying and profound dedication to helping the girls develop, in equal measure, a strong sense of self and a robust social conscience. The benefits to our daughter’s development are already visible, and we are very excited to continue to work in partnership with Elmwood to help her realize her full potential as she continues her journey at this unique, exceptional school."
- Shalin and Jacqueline Sugunasiri
"Our daughter started attending Elmwood in Grade 7. From the first day of school she felt welcomed and a part of the Elmwood community. We found the teachers to be approachable and very willing to help our daughter achieve high goals.
The quality of people from teachers to admin support staff and other students reassure us that our hard-earned money is well invested in our daughter’s education and that we made the right choice by selecting Elmwood over other schools in Ottawa. We wish we had enrolled her sooner. Our daughter is getting a firstclass education that will benefit her for her entire life. We believe and trust in the approach to higher education that Elmwood has adopted so much that we are committed until Grade 12.
Finally, the friends she has now will be friends for a lifetime. She enjoys going to school every day and is very proud to be going to Elmwood.”
- Paul and Cindy Moore
"As parents of two daughters, one who is currently in Grade 10 at Elmwood, we know all too well that adolescence is a difficult and vulnerable time for girls as they struggle to find their identity. Elmwood’s Middle School offered our daughter a vast array of academic and co-curricular opportunities, housed within a safe and nurturing environment. During these crucial years, she was encouraged to embrace learning, explore and push boundaries, and as a result developed the necessary self-confidence to propel her into the challenges of high school life. Elmwood’s Middle School provided quality teaching and academics, but also never lost sight of her social and emotional needs as an adolescent girl."
- Jeannie and Jacob Polisuk
"One of the many things that Elmwood does really well is to help the girls develop their leadership skills. They do so in part by emphasizing the importance of respecting others and listening to them. In much the same way the girls also learn to expect respect for themselves. As a parent I can't think of a more important gift that I can give my daughters than self respect."
-Ella Mar
"I am the proud parent of a shy, intelligent, outwardly quiet and reserved 10 year old girl. After one year at Elmwood Junior School, I am overwhelmed at how she has blossomed into a confident, articulate and dynamic young lady. Essentially, she is who she has always been but has kept hidden except to a select few.
Elmwood Junior school has challenged my daughter—both intellectually and socially—and she has risen to that challenge. She wants to excel and I credit the school for lighting her inner fire. At the age of 10, she is beginning to find herself. As a parent, I can only look forward with great anticipation to what else she will achieve in such a stimulating environment."
- Dr. Tracey Thompson MD, FRCS(C)
"As expected, Elmwood provided the exceptional academic experience. What it also provided was a place to grow the whole girl, with more poise, greater confidence and broader perspectives. At Elmwood, Sarah has learned to know, how to do and, most importantly, how to be, with herself and with others. It is this ability that will be so important for future leaders."
- William Pullen
"Our daughter’s experience at Elmwood has exceeded all expectations. The environment in the Junior School fosters a sense of curiosity and confidence that will provide a solid foundation on which the girls can build as they progress in their education.
Until one has experienced Elmwood, it is difficult to fully appreciate the many opportunities it provides to the girls and their families. Academic excellence is expected and delivered, however it is often subtleties that make a community thrive. Such is definitely the case at Elmwood. Interaction between the junior and senior school students provides unique academic and social experiences our daughter cherishes while fostering a real sense of belonging. School initiatives have encouraged her to look at the world and try to understand her place in it.
Most importantly, our daughter loves coming to Elmwood each morning and we are confident she is safe, happy and enjoying every day. We look forward to the years to come."
- Peter and Kelly Hudson
"Based on popular opinion, we expected great things from Elmwood School. We have not been disappointed. With teachers who teach from the heart not from the books, Fatima was not only getting a great education but she was happy at her school. These lasting positive impressions will affect the way she will always approach education."
- Ahmed Ali Jarrud, Ambassador of Libya
"Elmwood has been a worldly experience for both Sarah and Claire over the last few years. We have seen advancements in their academics, self assurance and awareness since moving to Elmwood and both of our girls have met friends that will surely be with them for a lifetime."
-Scott F. Murray
"When we first visited Elmwood in January 2008, it was love at first sight—the facilities, the faculty and their passion for the girls and their education was obvious. We made the decision that day that we had to put our girls in Elmwood, and its a decision we're thankful for each and every day. Going into their second year at the junior school (SK and Grade 2), both our girls have thrived—the school has given them an insatiable desire to explore and learn, the confidence to participate and share their experiences and the independence to pursue their dreams. Not a day goes by in which we're not grateful to be part of the Elmwood community and tradition of excellence."
- Bryce Conrad
"Elmwood has been the centre of Isabel's academic and social life ever since she arrived in Grade 10. As an all-girls school, Elmwood has offered an environment where Isabel has thrived without the usual teen pressures. She has developed the confidence to stand up for what she believes and to lead others. Upon her arrival from Washington, DC, Elmwood demonstrated flexiblility in dealing with her transition. It is the only school in Ottawa to offer IB Latin and Isabel has been part of Elmwood's Classics Club's annual success at the Ontario Classics Conference. Isabel has recently been named a U.S. National Merit Scholar semifinalist."
- Elizabeth McCarten
"When our daughter joined Elmwood last year, it was with some apprehension. We had struggled in the past to find an environment that would quench her thirst to learn and were uncertain about how she would feel in an all-girl environment. Within the first week our apprehensions disappeared: Elmwood is definitely the right school for her. The all-girl environment has proved to be exactly what she needed to become more outgoing and confident. The curriculum is stimulating and enriching; the teachers accommodate to each child’s capabilities and needs. We have been impressed at how well technology is integrated into the curriculum throughout the grade. Our daughter has also thoroughly enjoyed the after school clubs, particularly Lego Robotics, math and science. It’s rewarding to see our daughter grow into a mature, curious and enthusiastic student."
-Jonathan and Raquelle
"We have been so impressed with Elmwood since we first made inquiries with the admissions office last year for our eldest daughter, Jacqueline. At our first meeting, we spoke at length with the Director of Admissions, the Head of the Junior School and the Headmistress; all gave us an enormous amount of time and were happy to answer our questions. Having toured many other schools, we had never encountered that level of attention, and we were certain that Jacqueline's needs would best be served at Elmwood.
Jacqueline began Junior Kindergarten in September and the transition for our family has been remarkably smooth. The staggered start to the school year allowed Jacqueline to ease into her new world so that she could familiarize herself with her teachers and classmates prior to full immersion in the new school routine.
What most impresses us is that Elmwood's staff strives to meet the particular needs of each of its students and their families—they are willing to meet you wherever you are. We feel that Jacqueline's teachers genuinely know and care about our child, and this gives us tremendous comfort when we drop her off each morning. Our family is delighted with Elmwood and we are certain that our younger daughter, not yet school aged, will benefit from Elmwood's unique approach when she too is ready for school."
- Patricia Reilly-King
"We are so very pleased with our decision to send Kaylah to Elmwood. The school is providing a loving, safe and encouraging environment that is helping her become an inquisitive and confident young lady. We are very impressed by the breadth of experiences Elmwood is providing through its kindergarten and IB programs. She is genuinely excited to set off for school each morning, which is always reassuring as parents. She loves her interactions with the "big girls" on House Days and other occasions. This community of learning and support that extends beyond the immediate classroom, is one of Kaylah's greatest joys and one of Elmwoods greatest strengths."
- Dan and Denise Carruthers
"Our daughter, Helen, joined the Elmwood community in Junior Kindergarten. Now in Grade 5, she has thrived at Elmwood under the excellent and personalized instruction in the Junior School. The International Baccalaureate Program has opened her eyes to a new way of learning, and new ways of seeing the world around her. As part of the rich intra-curricular program, Helen has participated in a diversity of activities—from soccer and swimming, to chime choir and chess. For working parents like us, the after school program, 3:26 Club, has given us peace of mind and complemented the academic and intra-curricular experience. Throughout, her confidence has continued to grow and she has continued to build the leadership skills that are so critical for girls to succeed in today’s changing world. In short, we are extremely pleased with the Elmwood Junior School and would highly recommend it!"
- Peter and Ann Marie Hume
"Quite simply, our daughter is happy at Elmwood. The small class size, individual attention, and enriched Primary Years Program make the Elmwood experience intimate, nurturing and intellectually stimulating. Already our daughter has become more confident, is making her first friendships, and is learning how she and her classmates are each unique individuals. Starting early, Elmwood emphasizes strong academics, but also teaches the girls to help and care for others and be a part of the global community."
- Amy & Joseph Ulvr
"Our daughter's experiences at Elmwood have, in her own words, been 'excellent!' The teachers are engaging and enthusiastic and the environment allows for lots of individual attention. Elmwood's unique IB approach has been great for Saskia's inquiring mind and has provided her the tools to become a critical thinker, but also to become a caring and balanced young girl enjoying her friends and school life."
