Today is

Lynn Scott Home | Contact Lynn | Site Map

Schools in Zone 1 — Rural West

Education has been a high priority in Zone 1 communities since the first school in Carleton County was established at Richmond in 1820. The countryside is liberally dotted with old one- and two-room school buildings, many of them still in use as private homes or businesses. Pierces Corners in Rideau Township may be unique in having two former school buildings (S.S. No. 3, Marlborough) still standing side by side.

The face of rural education in Ottawa-Carleton has changed a great deal over the past century and more, and the pace of change has been more rapid in recent decades.  Just as some villages have grown and changed and become more suburban, such as Stittsville, while other villages have faded to hamlets, our public schools have also changed, to provide students with educational programs and learning opportunities that will equip them for future success in a modern, diverse, global society, whether their destiny is to carry on the family farm, or to become successful business people, or to find fame as creative artists, inventors, entrepreneurs, academics, skilled tradespeople and more.

Some things have not changed.  The values of respect, hard work, honesty, and consideration for others are embedded in our approach to character education.  The importance of "readin', writin' and 'rithmetic" is reflected in our strong focus on literacy and numeracy at all grades.  An increased interest in bilingualism in Canada, and especially in the National Capital area, has led to strong enrolment in our French immersion programs.  Most recently, the need for skilled workers has turned attention to improved technology programs, both hi-tech and traditional technology courses such as carpentry, welding, automotive, etc.

The public elementary and high schools in Zone 1 have also changed.  Schools have been closed and consolidated where enrolment has declined and little or no growth is foreseen.  Where it has proven difficult to continue to offer an equitable range of programs because of low enrolment, schools have been consolidated so that students can continue to access the specialist teachers and programs they need.  Where on-going growth has led to serious overcrowding, new schools have been constructed, and more are in the works.  Nevertheless, the schools in Zone 1 remain distinctively rural schools, continuing to serve the needs of the descendants of long-time rural residents as well as the needs of increasingly diverse newcomers.  Our schools are community schools, and their community is rural.  Our challenge is to make sure they continue to meet the needs of their students for excellent education and success in a 21st century world.

Please access information on specific schools through the menu above.

Page last modified 16 August 2010
Copyright © 1996-2011 Lynn Scott