Westboro: Admissions
Thank you for considering Westboro Academy for your child(ren)’s education. Learn more about our application process, assessments and tuition fees here.
Connect With Us!
Do you have questions regarding our school, bilingual program, or admission?
Please reach out to Chantale Bessette, Director of Admissions by phone (613-737-9543 x 305) or by email (admissions@westboroacademy.com).
We look forward to hearing from you!
Admissions Process
Get the enrolment process for Westboro Academy started today!
Enrolling at Westboro Academy
We want to ensure that Westboro Academy will be a good fit for your child(ren) and your family. The admission process helps our school get a full sense of who your child is before granting admission. It is also intended to help parents and prospective students make an informed decision on enrolment to ensure a good overall fit on both sides.
Students from outside the city and abroad are warmly welcomed at Westboro Academy and are encouraged to apply by following the steps outlined below.
Start Them on a Path to a Lifetime of Excellence
Westboro Academy’s mission is to develop independent, bilingual critical thinkers in preparation for life-long learning. Give your child a lifetime of excellence with Ottawa’s most personalized bilingual education. The Admissions team is here to help you through the process.
Book Your Visit
A visit to Westboro Academy will give you a sense of our school community and allow you to see for yourself the warm, friendly and nurturing environment we’ve cultivated as a community. It is considered to be not only an important step in the admissions process, but the most useful in determining whether or now our school could be the right fit for your child(ren). School tours can be booked Monday through Friday between 9:30 am and 3:00 pm. Tours take, on average, 45 minutes and include a walk around the school and yards and an opportunity to go over any questions about the school, its culture, its curriculum, its admission process or to discuss your child’s learning needs in greater depth.
Please note that tours are encouraged but not mandatory. You may proceed to step 2 before or without booking a tour.
Apply
Submit an application package with all the required supporting documentation. Supporting documents include:
- A copy of your child’s birth certificate;
- A copy of your child’s immunization records;
- A copy of your child’s two previous (most recent) report cards;
- A completed confidential reference form (we will provide a link to you)
- A $150 (non-refundable) application fee which can be transferred electronically- we will provide you with the email address to send it to.
Assessment Visit
The assessment visit’s goal is to determine each applicant’s compatibility with the school. Social and academic abilities, French language proficiency (especially in older grades), and potential are taken into consideration. All applicants will participate in individual and group activities during their assessment visit. Please note that we make every effort to ensure that these visits are enjoyable for our prospective students and try to minimize stress by not doing sit-down interviews or lengthy entrance exams. In addition, visiting students are assigned a buddy for the day to ensure that they have a go-to person to be with them during periods of transition and recess.
Junior & Senior Kindergarten & Grade 1
An assessment for entry in JK or in SK consists of a morning visit (from 9:00 am until 11:00 am) in the JK classroom at the school. An assessment for entry in Grade 1 consists of a morning visit (from 9:00 am until 12:30 pm) in the SK classroom.
Grades 2 to 8
Assessment visits for Grades 2 through 8 inclusive consists of a one full day visit (9:00 am until 3:45 pm) in the classroom of their peers
Out-of-Town Applicants
We welcome out-of-town (domestic and international) applications. When distance prevents the potential student from coming in for an in-person assessment visit for admission to grades 2 through 8 inclusive, we send a series of work samples to be completed and returned, after which we invite the applicant to a brief online meeting to get to know them as well as address any questions they may have. Only the online meeting applies for admission in JK, SK, or Grade 1.
Acceptance
If both the school and the visiting student feel that Westboro Academy is a good fit, your family will receive an offer of admission and an accompanying admission contract shortly after the assessment visit, usually within two business days. Formal acceptance of an offer is made by providing appropriate payment(s) and signatures and by returning it to the Office of Admissions within one week of the time it is offered.
Building Futures Through Education
Westboro Academy’s mission is to develop independent, bilingual critical thinkers in preparation for life-long learning.
Westboro Academy operates as a not-for-profit school. That means that the tuition fees cover the operational costs of educating a student. The Academy also relies on donations and fundraising activities to acquire some educational materials, equipment, contingencies, and a building fund.
Westboro Academy offers three payment options for tuition: one full payment, two equal instalments, or 10 equal instalments.
The school will issue childcare tax receipts for 100% of tuition for JK and SK and 20% of tuition for grade 1 onward.
Tuition Fees
2025-2026
When two or more children are registered at the same time, a discount of 10% (of the lowest cost) tuition is allowed for the second student . A discount of %15 is allowed for the third and subsequent students.
Enrolment Deposit
For New Students, the fee is payable upon enrolment. It is credited towards the Tuition Fees payable and is required to reserve a space for your child.
New Families
This one-time fee is payable upon acceptance of an offer of admission for the child from each family new to Westboro Academy. The fee is used to enhance the school’s strategic fund.
Activity & Consumables Fee
A lump sum fee, payable separately, is added to the Tuition Fee to cover the cost of consumable items such as writing supplies, workbooks, text books and science experiment materials. This fee also covers the full cost of regular field trips and other events that are an integral part of the academic program. (Out of town, overnight trips, and ski trips are an additional cost)
Optional Fees
Lunch & Milk Programs
Charged per use, Fees Vary
Before School Care
$9 per use
After School Care
$19 per use
Overnight and/or Ski Trips
Varies by Trip
Application Deadlines
About the Deadlines
Applications for all grades are accepted all year. However, we recommend starting the process one year in advance. Applicants who meet the round 1 deadline (November 15 before the September they would start school) are given priority over round 2 applicants (applicants received after November 15th). We accept applications for up to 3 years before the desired entry date.
Round 1
- Application Due Date – November 15th
- Assessment Dates – Starting in November
- Offers of Admission – By the end of December
- Contract Deadline – 7 days following the offer of admission
Round 2
- Application Due Date – After November 15th: open according to availability
- Assessment Dates – Ongoing as required
- Offers of Admission – Ongoing as required
- Contract Deadline – 7 days following the offer of admission
Round 1
- Application Due Date – November 15th
- Assessment Dates – February/March
- Offers of Admission – Within 1 week of their assessment visit
- Contract Deadline –7 days following the offer of admission
Round 2
- Application Due Date –open according to availability after November 15th
- Assessment Dates – Ongoing as required
- Offers of Admission – Ongoing as required
- Contract Deadline – 7 days following the offer of admission
Admissions FAQ
My child does not speak French; will he/she succeed at Westboro Academy?
Our full-time JK and SK programs allow children to spend the entire day in a French environment. Listening to, learning, and having fun in French will enable them to build their vocabulary and create a positive experience while learning the new language. We have French resource teachers on staff for older grades who help students one-on-one or in small groups when they need help with language proficiency skills. By the time they graduate, students have reached an advanced level of French.
For students applying for Grades 1 and beyond, a certain degree of familiarity and proficiency with the French language is is preferred. Through our admissions process our team will assess your child’s level of French and determine what level of support will be required to ensure a smooth transition to our bilingual learning environment.
As a parent, I don’t speak French; how will I get feedback regarding the classes taught in French, and how can I support my child with his/her French homework?
Many of our families come from diverse language backgrounds, and it’s not unusual that many of our parents do not speak French. Our teachers are experienced in supporting both students and families in this situation. They use a range of strategies—such as speaking in English when needed, providing key information in both languages, and recommending translation tools—to ensure communication is clear and accessible.
When it comes to homework, we don’t expect parents to act as translators. Instead, we focus on helping students become independent and confident in their learning. If ever there’s something unclear, students are encouraged to ask their teacher the next day. We’re always here to support you and your child every step of the way.
What if I want to wait until grade 1 to register my child?
Priority is given to our existing students for spaces in Grade 1 and when acquiring a new language, we recommend an early start. Nonetheless, many of our students with limited French proficiency have begun their journey here in Grade 1. In Grades 2 or higher, foundations are a strong asset and many students have been successful at making the jump from making the jump from their French Immersion school to our bilingual school.
Do you offer Before and After Care Services?
Our Before and After School Programs are renowned for excellence, convenience and quality. Westboro families enjoy having their children in our care, knowing they are in a safe, enriching and productive environment. The program can be used on an “as-needed” basis, making it cost-effective and convenient for families. The Before Care Program begins at 7:30 am. The cost is $9 per morning per child. The After School Program runs from 3:45 pm and ends at 5:30 pm. The cost is $19 per afternoon per child.
Do you offer any lunch options?
Families may order lunch through Lunchbox. The current options include Bar Burrito, Sachi’s, Booster Juice, Subway and Pizza Pizza. We also offer a milk program. Families can order on a weekly basis and can pick and choose the options that suit their child(ren)’s tastes.
