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325 Sandhill Rd. Kanata, ON K2K 1X7

At a Glance

School Life

At a glance, our school offers a unique and dynamic

Student Life

March Academy works to empower elementary aged students by helping

Communication with Parents

At March Academy, we have an open door policy for

About Us

About Us

An underlying tenet at March Academy is that education should provide children with a compass to help guide and support their ability to find their way, rather than a single road map that everyone must follow. March Academy empowers students

We are currently accepting applications for the 2023/2024 school year.

Interested parents of candidates to March Academy are asked to contact the school for an initial meeting with school staff, either virtually or in person.

Following the parent meeting, student candidates will visit and spend a day or more at the school, as part of the admission process. A meeting with the school principal will be arranged if a school day visit is not possible, such as in the summer months.

Tuition fees at March Academy include basic classroom materials, piano and music lessons, yoga and TaeKwonDo classes, special guest speakers and/or subject-specific teachers as well as most field trips during the year.

Please contact the school for an appointment to discuss the suitability of March Academy in meeting the needs of your student.

The curriculum presented at March Academy is rooted in the Ontario Ministry of Education expectations as the underlying framework for activities.

The Academy uses students’ strengths and interests to help build and support the development or enrichment of academic skills in the areas of mathematics and language arts.

Science and social studies are taught as an integrated curriculum across the grade levels from grades one to six. The topics are theme based and involve large and small group as well as individual activities.  Themes are based on the Ontario Ministry of Education topics and are adapted for student grade and ability level each year. Geography and science are taught as separate subjects with themes from the grade seven and eight Ministry of Education curriculum. Field trips and guest speakers augment both levels of curricula and are dependent upon the themes presented from year to year.

Students participate in physical education sessions taught by a certified Ontario teacher. Lessons focus on fun and fitness, and are designed to encourage a student’s sense of self-esteem in their abilities. Students also participate in a Running Club, during the spring and fall months, which culminates in a fun run to support local charities. All children have the opportunity to participate in our Cross-country Ski Club throughout the winter months using our large school yard.

Students participate in weekly martial arts lessons, TaeKwonDo, from a qualified instructor and are provided opportunities for belt testing when they are ready. The focus of instruction is on improving their self-confidence, agility and concentration.

Students benefit from weekly yoga sessions with a certified yoga instructor. Yoga lessons introduce students to the concept of relaxation, flexibility and increased body awareness.

It is important that the learning experience encompass the whole child. As such, music, art, drama  are an seen as an integral a part of the March Academy program.  All students receive weekly, individual piano lessons and participate in the March Academy school choir. Students in grades one to six also participate in a group music theory class each week. Piano lessons culminate in an end-of-year piano recital, and the school choir has opportunities to perform on various occasions throughout the school year both at school related events and in the Ottawa community.  In the past opportunities to visit the National Art Gallery and the NAC, as well as visits from guest local artists, have supplemented the arts curriculum.

The hidden curriculum in schools such as developing self-advocacy and other classroom skills are parallel key objectives to encourage students towards independence in learning in all subject areas. Working with others, showing manners and respect as well as communicating ideas, thoughts and feelings are essential life skills and, as such, are integral components of daily lessons.  

Technology is used to augment and support in all subject areas and is integrated into the program in a purposeful way. Learning to use technology as a tool to both access information and to express the learning that has been attained is woven throughout the curriculum and through the school day. Simple block coding activities and challenges are provided at various times throughout the year. In response to the emergency school closures in March 2020, a virtual learning program which emphasized daily face-to face contact between teachers and students, and that strived to maintain consistency for students was developed. The virtual program stressed hands-on, active learning which maintained a program that balanced the academics, the Arts and physical education that March Academy has become known for.

March Academy participates in many additional activities through the school year which support and enhance the regular curriculum.  Some of the activities that the Academy has participated in are the following:

  • Swimming lessons at the Kanata Wave Pool
  • Downhill ski lessons at Mount Pakenham
  • Skating at local area rinks and the Canal
  • Trips to the Bonnefant Outdoor Education Center
  • Hip Hop and Square Dancing
  • Kiwanis Music Festival
  • Pioneer Village Trips
  • The Company of Fools Drama Company
  • National Arts Centre and National Art Gallery
  • Fencing
  • Pottery
  • Guest Artist in Environmental Art
  • Guest Artists in Fabric Art
  • Scientists in Schools
  • Mad Science
  • Music Monday
  • Chess ‘n Math
  • The Beaverchase Run Series
  • The National Capital Family 2K run
  • Orienteering at Richcraft Community Centre
  • Scotiabank Ottawa Kid’s Marathon

Does March Academy follow Ontario’s Ministry of Education guidelines?

Yes, March Academy uses Ontario Ministry Expectations as guiding principles in designing programs. However, students’ individual strengths and interests are also taken into consideration when planning units and themes.

What grades does March Academy offer?



March Academy offers grade one to grade eight, with extended support offered to our graduating students during their transition to high school where applicable.

Is March Academy a secular educational institution?

March Academy offers non-denominational instruction. Students from all backgrounds and beliefs are welcome at our school.

Do students at March Academy wear a uniform?

Yes and no. Students are expected to purchase a vest and t-shirt with the official school crest upon enrollment and are encouraged to wear it to school every Monday morning and for special outings or visitors.

How big are class sizes at March Academy?

Class sizes vary depending upon the lessons being taught. Overall, the school operates with approximately 32 students and a teacher-student ratio of approximately 1:8. Students receive instruction within flexible multi-grade classes.

What are the advantages of multi-grade instruction?

Students benefit from working with peers of different ages and abilities. Their needs are addressed within a small group setting. Students progress at their own pace to meet their true potential. Education is seen as a cooperative, communicative, and supportive endeavour.

Does March Academy offer French language instruction?

Yes. Students receive a core-based French-language instruction in a multi-aged ability grouping. The instruction focuses primarily on conversational skills with some reading and writing instruction.

Does March Academy provide any outdoor nature experiences?

The grounds of March Academy provide for a rich experience in nature.  Along with wildlife such as deer, turtles, foxes and the various birds which frequent the school yard, the students participate in weekly nature journaling, where they are guided in recording information and sketching of a specific area of the natural world.  Outdoor experiences and nature are encouraged and promoted throughout the school year.

Does March Academy offer field trips or school outings?

Yes. Students participate in outings outside the classroom in support of the curriculum. Special visitors are also often engaged to further enrich a curriculum area.

What does the physical education program look like at March Academy?

Physical education is an important part of each school day.  Yoga and TaeKwonDo classes each occur once a week held with specialized instructors in the disciplines.  Traditional gym classes are also held during the week which emphasize skill acquisition and cooperative game playing.  Running during the spring and fall, and cross-country skiing in the winter months, are part of the regular programming, with other sports and activities augmenting the programming seasonally.

How important is the Arts programming at March Academy?

Music and visual arts are key parts of the March Academy program.  All students are given an individual piano lesson and participate in a whole school choir session once a week.  Students in grades one to six also participate in a weekly music theory class. Visual arts and crafts lessons are held each week focussing on the use various materials and working towards different projects.  Drama expression is dependent on yearly themes and often augment various activities.

What time does the school day at March Academy start and finish?



School starts at 8:45 a.m. and finishes at 3:45 p.m. Nutrition and recess breaks are paced throughout the day to optimize learning times.

Where do students go after they graduate from March Academy?



Upon graduation, students transition to either public or other private schools based on parental choice.

Are there bursaries available to help offset tuition fees?

Some parents may be eligible to claim their child’s tuition as a medical expense on their personal income tax. Please consult with your accountant or other tax professional.

What will be March Academy’s response be to the COVID-19 situation in the 2022-23 school year?

March Academy remains small and we are committed to ensuring the safety of the students moving forward in these unprecedented times. Current best practices to mitigate COVID transition will be adhered to including air filters in all classrooms. March Academy will follow the directives of Ottawa Public Health where required. Registered families will be kept apprised of the specific details of this fluid situation, as they relate to March Academy.

Testimonials

Why March Academy?

The March Academy Way

Accepting new registrations in some classes for the 2023 - 2024 school year. Book a tour
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