ADMISSIONS DEPARTMENT
 The Ottawa Catholic School Board's Admissions Department is dedicated to helping students begin their academic careers within our school system. This webpage provides families with the resources necessary to get started, including the following:
- how to register a child in an Ottawa Catholic School;
- help with your child's record of immunization;
- information on directing your school support;
- resources for Newcomers to Canada;
- details for fee-paying International Students;
- how to validate guardianship for a child;
- how to contact us;
- and other useful links, like Transportation information.
Registering in our Schools - Kindergarten through to Grade 12
The Ottawa Catholic School Board is a progressive, innovative and caring school system. It represents an excellent choice for your child for kindergarten through to grade 12. Registration takes place at each school anytime during the school year. School administration will provide you with a Student Registration Form. To register your child, please be prepared to provide the following:
- an Ontario Health Card and record of immunization;
- a report card from the student’s previous school (if applicable);
- a birth certificate or other government document to show proof of age (for junior and senior kindergarten only);
- and a Roman Catholic baptismal certificate for either the child OR parent *
* for elementary (junior kindergarten to grade 6) and intermediate (grades 7 and 8) only
* the baptismal certificate of a common-law spouse or step-parent is also acceptable
IMPORTANT NOTE: Students must attend the school within the boundaries of their residence -- their "home" school. Students who wish to attend another school outside of their normal attendance boundary must apply for a Cross Boundary Transfer. The process begins at the “home” school with both principals (sending and receiving schools) and their respective school Superintendent granting approval. Please note that elementary (JK-8) non-Catholic students are not eligible for Cross Boundary Transfers. Please consult our School Locator to verify your child's "home" school to begin the process.
Download and print our Student Registration Form. The Adobe PDF form can be completed electronically, but cannot be saved to your home computer. Please print the completed form and bring it to your child's new school to begin the admissions process. Please note that additional documentation must be completed at the time of registration. Download here >>
We also welcome non-Catholic students on a space availability basis in our elementary schools (junior kindergarten to grade 6) and intermediate schools (grades 7 and 8). Our high schools (grades 9 to 12) are open to ALL students.
Click here for more information on Catholicity, including which Catholic faiths are eligible for admission...
 School Locator
Our School Locator will tell you which Ottawa Catholic School is in your area, and will connect you with each school's website to learn more about your child's new school. You can also search for schools that offer French Immersion or English as a Second Language (ESL) programs. Begin here >>
 Kindergarten Registration
If your child will be age four or five on or before December 31, 2010, then they are ready for Kindergarten! Registration for junior and senior kindergarten takes place during a designated week in January at all of our Catholic Board elementary schools. More >>
 Early Learning Program - Full Day Kindergarten
Twelve Board schools have been selected to implement the Early Learning Program in September 2010, as part of the first phase of implementation. More >>
 Direction of School Support - Check your tax bill
By registering your child in an Ottawa Catholic school, you have chosen to support Catholic education through direction of your school support. You help foster a strong political voice through your elected representative (trustee) in ensuring your rights to a Catholic education for the young people in our province. More >>
Immunization Information
 Each child's Ontario Health Card and record of immunization must be presented at the time of registration. All Ontario school children must be immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, and rubella, unless there is a valid exemption. Ottawa Public Health (OPH) requires proof that your child has received proper immunization. The OPH Immunization Program is available weekdays from 8:00 am to 3:45 pm by calling 613-580-6744, ext. 24108 or toll-free at 1-866-426-8885, ext. 24108. Please contact Ottawa Public Health to inquire about an Immunization excemption form.
Visit Ottawa Public Health's website for more >>
Newcomers to Canada - Family Welcome Centre
 The first stop for newcomers to Canada should be our Board's Family Welcome Centre. The friendly and accommodating staff will conduct an assessment to determine whether there is a need for English Second Language instruction (ESL), and will also assist the student in entering the Ottawa Catholic school system. The assessment should take place as soon as possible following the arrival of the student in Canada. Make an appointment with the Family Welcome Centre >>
Fee-paying International Students
 Fees apply to international students who wish to study temporarily in an Ottawa Catholic school. Fees include ESL program instruction if required, and transportation services, if the student's residential address meets the distance criteria. Transportation is also provided to ESL Centres at high schools that fall outside the regular boundaries of the student's primary residence. Please note that the Board accepts fee-paying international students at the high school level ONLY.
Tuition fees do NOT apply to:
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students whose parents are in Canada on a work permit or a study permit;
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children of Diplomats (immediate family only - nieces and nephews must pay fees);
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refugees;
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permanent residents;
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and individuals who can provide proof that they have applied for Permanent Residency in Canada, by providing correspondence from the Department of Citizenship and Immigration or a bank receipt covering the cost of their application.
The Ottawa Catholic School Board participates in several reciprocal student exchange programs with organizations which have been approved by the Board. Fees do not apply.
To register an international student, please contact the Board's Admissions Department at 613-224-4455, ext 2283, or e-mail us at Admissions@ottawacatholicschools.ca. Upon payment of fees to the Admissions Departmtent, you will be directed to contact our Board's Family Welcome Centre (see above - Newcomers to Canada). In addition to assessing needs and helping the student enter the classroom, the friendly staff will assist families with the process of acquiring proper immunization for the student (see above - Immunization).
Fees for International Students are $11,000 per year and $5,500 per semester (applicable for students attending one semester ONLY) and are payable by certified cheque, money order or bank draft. When paying by bank draft, payment should be made to the Ottawa Catholic School Board, c/o National Bank of Canada, 50 O'Connor Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 6L2. The name of the student must appear as a note on the transaction. A study permit is also required for all fee-paying international students unless they are in Canada for less than 6 months.
Visit Immigration and Citizenship's website for a Study Permit application...
Guardianship
 If you are registering a child in an Ottawa Catholic school, and are serving as the guardian for that child, then you will need to provide a legal affidavit attesting to your current situation. The following wording is required in the document prepared by the parents in consultation with and notarized by a lawyer or notary public:
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the guardian is responsible for physical care and control of said student;
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the student will be residing in the guardian's residence;
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the student will be under the guardian's authority;
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and the guardian will be responsible for daily discipline.
The affidavit should be dated, signed by both parent(s) and the guardian(s)m witnessed by a lawyer or notary public. Proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status, record of immunization and a copy of the last report card (if possible) are to be included with the original guardianship documentation. A legal affidavit regarding guardianship is required for all students attending a school system.
Contact the Admissions Department
Phone: 613-224-4455, ext 2283
Fax: 613-224-5063
E-mail: Admissions@ottawacatholicschools.ca
Mail to: Ottawa Catholic School Board, c/o Admissions Department
570 West Hunt Club Road, Nepean, Ontario K2G 3R4
Other Useful Links
Last Updated: 2010-07-08
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