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The big picture on Heritage Academy of Learning Excellence
We summarized the school ourselves
Schools are founded for a range of reasons, though a few are founded out of a very acute need, and that’s the case with Heritage. Louise Brazeau-Ward’s son had dyslexia, and she had watched him struggle in traditional academic settings, something which inspired her to make a difference in his life and the lives of others like him. Today she’s a world renowned expert in dyslexia, and a proponent of the Orton-Gillingham multi-sensory approach to instruction which she then adapted. All of that forms the foundation of Heritage Academy, the school that Brazeau-Ward created in 1989. Today the school is run by her daughter, and the program, though having grown over the years, remains consistent to its founding mission. The school provides support for students with dyslexia as well as other challenges. The environment—one that is created to address the needs of the students—can itself be transformative. For many students, that’s what Heritage principally offers.
We questioned the school adminstration
1. Who are you, as a school?
"Ranked the top private school in Ottawa in 2023, Heritage Academy specializes in supporting students with Dyslexia and other language-based learning exceptionalities. Our multisensory environment and smaller class sizes benefit students with a wide range of other exceptionalities. By promoting the values of honesty, perseverance, and teamwork, Heritage Academy fosters acceptance and growth among our students and enables them to reach their full potential."
"Our environment, with smaller class sizes and less stimulus, are often advantageous to students with ADD/ADHD. In addition, our teachers bring in the use of frequent body breaks,...(more)
"Our environment, with smaller class sizes and less stimulus, are often advantageous to students with ADD/ADHD. In addition, our teachers bring in the use of frequent body breaks, use of manipulatives, use of multisensory fidgets and use of the desk bicycles.
By promoting the values of honesty, perseverance and respect, Heritage fosters acceptance and growth among our students, and enables them to reach their full academic potential. We love to see students learn how to succeed and enjoy school."
3. What tradeoffs has your school made to serve families in this way?
Information not yet available.
4. What key junctures in your school's history have most shaped its present?
Information not yet available.
5. What type of student is a good fit for your school?
"Heritage Academy accepts students with or without learning exceptionalities;
Here is a list of common learning exceptionalities or neuro development disorders:
"Heritage Academy accepts students with or without learning exceptionalities;
Here is a list of common learning exceptionalities or neuro development disorders:
6. Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing your school?
"To gain admission, students must be able to;
- understand and communicate in English
- must demonstrate the capacity for self-regulation within and beyond the classroom
-...(more)
"To gain admission, students must be able to;
- understand and communicate in English
- must demonstrate the capacity for self-regulation within and beyond the classroom
- effective collaboration with peers and not negatively impact their learning and the learning of others
- work independently as needed
- follow the curriculum without 1:1 additional assistance from an EA
- follow the school's code of conduct and refrain from engaging in bullying or physical aggression"
7. To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?
"Families have grown to know Heritage as a school that provides both academic and social support for students struggling in their current environment. Heritage believes in the...(more)
"Families have grown to know Heritage as a school that provides both academic and social support for students struggling in their current environment. Heritage believes in the potential of our students. Once they have been provided with the tools and strategies to help them learn based on their individual profile, our students can excel and reach their utmost potential."
8. How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?
"Heritage Academy in Ottawa is highly regarded for its focus on supporting students with dyslexia and other language-based learning exceptionalities. Established in 1989, the...(more)
"Heritage Academy in Ottawa is highly regarded for its focus on supporting students with dyslexia and other language-based learning exceptionalities. Established in 1989, the school provides a nurturing environment with small class sizes, multisensory teaching methods, and individualized support. These accommodations are particularly beneficial for students with ADHD, anxiety, and attention-based challenges.
Heritage Academy fosters a sense of inclusion and growth, making it a preferred choice for families seeking personalized educational approaches.
Additionally, the academy has been recognized as one of Ottawa's top private schools since 2020, thanks to its innovative teaching methods and consistent results in helping students."
9. What aspect of your school is underappreciated?
"By engaging students with multisensory teaching techniques and by using different modalities, students love to learn at Heritage.
We help students foster new friendships and...(more)
"By engaging students with multisensory teaching techniques and by using different modalities, students love to learn at Heritage.
We help students foster new friendships and face new challenges with a positive and open approach. Children deserve an environment that is nurturing, and understanding each student's true potential is essential."
10. What might families find surprising about your school?
"Our teachers and tutors are dedicated to making a difference in their students' lives. Working tirelessly to ensure the curriculum is delivered engagingly and that students...(more)
"Our teachers and tutors are dedicated to making a difference in their students' lives. Working tirelessly to ensure the curriculum is delivered engagingly and that students progress in the areas that may have been difficult for them, our staff ensures that each student enjoys school and is part of the learning adventure each grade experiences. We follow the "Tribes" program and want all students to feel included and part of the Heritage family."
11. What improvements or changes has your school made recently?
Information not yet available.
12. How will your school change in the next 5 years?
My daughter went from hating going to school and feeling 'stupid' to enjoying school and improving her confidence. The teachers were caring and took the time to support and encourage her. Her mental health was our primary concern and reason for removing her from the public system and thank goodness we did. She went for a half-day 'trial' and liked it so much we started her the next day and never regretted it. I think had she remained in the public school system her outcomes might have been very different. We considered keeping her there for high school but she wanted the experience of a bigger school and more friends and it worked out great. She looks back at her time at Heritage very fondly.
My daughter transferred mid-year. She likes the small classroom setting and the teaching staff. She likes that the school starts later than her previous school. She has made friends. She loves that she can leave the school grounds to grab a bite at one of the nearby cafes.
She is now taking a summer class. It is a very small group and she is thriving. She likes that the teachers are approachable and are really invested in her success. She likes that the school offers a lot of 'outside of the box' and hands- on learning opportunities. For example, for this summer course in English, students walked to Preston street, each student stood on the street each facing a different direction so they could describe the scene from each their own perspective. She really enjoyed that.
Our son had many difficulties in the regular school system due to a number of learning disabilities and medical issues. He has been diagnosed with dyslexia, is color blind and has Crohn's disease. Due to his medical condition he had to attend many doctor appointments requiring flexibility in the school curriculum to accommodate him. Due to his learning differences he required a host of different requirements to reach his full potential. This was not possible within either the public or Catholic school system.
At Heritage, the small class size and exceptional teachers, were able to customize a plan to teach to his strengths. Their patience and understanding enabled him to become confident and perform well, with much improved marks and attitude.
His main issues were not in his abilities but in how to express these ideas.
Over the years they have further assisted with other life skills from obtaining employment, presenting the best him, living a good and productive life in addition to all the academic courses that he will require to attend university.
For the parents they provided continual communication of progress and hurdles and worked collaboratively with us to best help our son. This included both academically as well as providing workshops to get access to potential government programs to assist financially and different software programs to help us keep pace with the tools that he was using.
We are confident that he will be able to attend either college or University of his choice after next year.
We feel very blessed to have found Heritage Academy and highly recommend it to anyone struggling with a school solution to their dyslexic child.
My child appreciates the individual attention afforded by small class sizes as well as the flexibility and creativity of the teachers in accommodating different learning styles. She/he is very social, and has expressed disappointment that there is not greater access to a larger student population (i.e. more opportunities to make new friends), but understands that an effective learning environment is important. She/he has commented on some areas of the fairly old building that need repairs. She/he sometimes gripes about the "uniform" (simple t-shirt), but I think it's a good idea, and makes getting ready in the morning simple! Having access to a library would be nice. Perhaps the students could visit a library once a month so that they can have access to a range of books and learn to appreciate all that a library has to offer.
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