Liam SmithWhen parents look for schools for their children, they usually consider the curriculum and facilities. However, as someone who grew up in a small private school where the principal greets everyone as they enter the doors, I think the school leader is also a major factor.
These people can make or break a mundane Monday and truly make an impact on a student’s academic or even personal life. I even remember our principal knowing my classmates and me by name, which I always thought was a nice gesture.
So, if you’re struggling to find the perfect school for your kids, I’ve got you covered! With my team’s help, we’ve researched the top principals in Ottawa today who are exceptional leaders, so keep on reading!
1. Cheryl Ward – Heritage Academy of Learning Excellence
Location: 207 Bayswater Ave.
Contact: +1 613-722-0133
Business hours: Monday to Friday: 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Our Rating: B+
| Leadership | 5/5 |
| – Problem-solving skills | 5/5 |
| – Rapport-building skills | 5/5 |
| Accessibility | 5/5 |
| – Approachability | 5/5 |
| – Community engagement | 5/5 |
| Experience and reputation | 5/5 |
| – Educational background | 5/5 |
| – Years of experience | 5/5 |
| – Professional background | 5/5 |
| Organizational skills | 5/5 |
| Affiliated school | 3.5/5 |
| – Tuition affordability | 3/5 |
| – Facilities | 4/5 |
| Communication | 5/5 |
Cheryl Ward is a no-brainer inclusion to our list because of her extensive 20-year background as Heritage Academy’s principal. Throughout her tenure, the school has been ranked on various “Best Private Schools in Ottawa” lists, a testament to her effectiveness.
Parents have also praised Ward for nurturing a welcoming environment that promotes individualized learning. She and the school are advocates of mental health, and even support students with different special needs.
We also spoke with students at Heritage Academy, who shared that Ward personally knows them and doesn’t hesitate to support them in both their academics and their emotions.
She was also praised for helping students discover their strengths and improve their weaknesses through her leadership. One of the ways she does this is by arranging multiple extra-curricular events that she also attends.
Her stellar communication skills were also noted by parents. Many praised her for her regular updates on their children, and also for how she works collaboratively to achieve the best outcomes for each child.
As with many private schools, however, Heritage Academy’s tuition fees are significantly higher, which can be a barrier for parents who want Ward to lead their children.
2. Matt Gagnier – Merivale High School
Location: 1755 Merivale Rd.
Contact: +1 613-224-1807
Business hours: Monday to Friday: 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Our Rating: B+
| Leadership | 5/5 |
| – Problem-solving skills | 5/5 |
| – Rapport-building skills | 5/5 |
| Accessibility | 4.25/5 |
| – Approachability | 3.5/5 |
| – Community engagement | 5/5 |
| Experience and reputation | 5/5 |
| – Educational background | 5/5 |
| – Years of experience | 5/5 |
| – Professional background | 5/5 |
| Organizational skills | 5/5 |
| Affiliated school | 4.5/5 |
| – Tuition affordability | 5/5 |
| – Facilities | 4/5 |
| Communication | 4/5 |
Matt Gagnier earned our vote of confidence when we learned how he nurtured a diverse community at Merivale High School. Of course, he doesn’t have time to meet every student personally at a larger school, but he’s still approachable when students need him.
Students from different walks of life also shared in our interviews that they didn’t feel alienated on their first day because of Gagnier’s already established culture. They also shared that they chose this school because of its broad academic and extracurricular programs.
Gagnier supports various art and athletic programs that transcend the four walls of the classroom by nurturing teams and clubs. Student members even shared that he encourages them to join community and charitable activities, both inside and outside the school.
We also liked how Gagnier promotes a more diverse academic curriculum. During his leadership, the school has started offering new programs, such as French Immersion, and numerous Specialist High School Majors.
3. Alain Brule – A.Y. Jackson Secondary
Location: 50 Francine Dr, North York
Contact: +1 416-395-3140
Business hours: Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Our Rating: B+
| Leadership | 5/5 |
| – Problem-solving skills | 5/5 |
| – Rapport-building skills | 5/5 |
| Accessibility | 5/5 |
| – Approachability | 5/5 |
| – Community engagement | 5/5 |
| Experience and reputation | 5/5 |
| – Educational background | 5/5 |
| – Years of experience | 5/5 |
| – Professional background | 5/5 |
| Organizational skills | 5/5 |
| Affiliated school | 4.5/5 |
| – Tuition affordability | 5/5 |
| – Facilities | 4/5 |
| Communication | 3/5 |
Alain Brule’s efforts to raise awareness among his students of global issues, such as climate change and anti-racism, were enough for us to include him in our review.
We thought his advocacy would be a perfect fit for A.Y. Jackson Secondary, since they’re the right age to understand these issues. Our interviewees also mentioned that it helped them expand their perspective on real-world challenges.
Brule was also among our top picks because of his extensive professional background in the industry. His experience as a former teacher and vice principal gave us confidence that he knows how to tap into students’ minds and relate with them on a personal level.
We also tip our hats to Brule for the non-negotiable value he instilled throughout the whole school: respect. Parents shared how this value greatly impacted other aspects in the school’s culture, including inclusivity and equality.
However, Brule is the principal of a secondary school, so his reach is only students in grades 7 to 12.
4. Steven Spidell – Lisgar Collegiate Institute
Location: 29 Lisgar St.
Contact: +1 613-239-2696
Business hours: Monday to Friday: 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Our Rating: B+
| Leadership | 5/5 |
| – Problem-solving skills | 5/5 |
| – Rapport-building skills | 5/5 |
| Accessibility | 4.5/5 |
| – Approachability | 4/5 |
| – Community engagement | 5/5 |
| Experience and reputation | 4.3/5 |
| – Educational background | 5/5 |
| – Years of experience | 3/5 |
| – Professional background | 5/5 |
| Organizational skills | 5/5 |
| Affiliated school | 4/5 |
| – Tuition affordability | 4/5 |
| – Facilities | 4/5 |
| Communication | 5/5 |
Our respondents recommended Steven Spidell of Lisgar Collegeiate Institute for his exceptional professional background.
Even though he only became the principal in 2022, he wasn’t a stranger to working with students, having been a geography teacher and the head of student services at Lisgar. His prior experience at Lisgar also made him familiar with the school’s culture and traditions.
Although he can’t address each student due to the scale of the school, we still appreciate how accessible he is in his office. Alumni of Lisgar added that Spidell does a great job of maintaining good student-faculty rapport by listening attentively and responding to their needs.
For instance, he has welcomed a diverse range of programs to improve student engagement, such as specialized gifted programs, advanced placement, and international certificates. He also recognizes students’ passions by creating clubs for both arts and athletics.
Spidell is also an advocate of experiential learning, as he’s welcomed programs that help keep students interested, including community engagement and outdoor education.
5. Trevor Grills – Colonel By Secondary School
Location: 2381 Ogilvie Rd.
Contact: +1 613-745-9411
Business hours: Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM
Our Rating: B+
| Leadership | 5/5 |
| – Problem-solving skills | 5/5 |
| – Rapport-building skills | 5/5 |
| Accessibility | 4/5 |
| – Approachability | 3/5 |
| – Community engagement | 5/5 |
| Experience and reputation | 5/5 |
| – Educational background | 5/5 |
| – Years of experience | 5/5 |
| – Professional background | 5/5 |
| Organizational skills | 5/5 |
| Affiliated school | 4.5/5 |
| – Tuition affordability | 4/5 |
| – Facilities | 5/5 |
| Communication | 4/5 |
We knew we had to include Trevor Grills, as he’s the principal of one of Ottawa’s highest-performing, academically recognized public schools. We like to attribute a sliver of this recognition to his leadership, as he’s nurtured a well-rounded school experience.
For starters, Grills has carried on the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme from past leadership, which is a globally recognized education program. This means that Colonel By Secondary School is among the few remaining public schools that offer it.
Our interviewees also stated that Grills helped them discover their talents and hone their passions by helping create extracurricular programs in arts, athletics, technology, etc.
He has also helped innovate the school’s long-running television station to maintain an engaging school spirit.
You can also see him frequently engaging in events and communities. Moreover, he’s responsible for the school’s monthly newsletter, which allows him to communicate with students and parents, making up for the slightly difficult process of meeting him in person.
