OSA Private School offers a unique educational experience by integrating academic excellence with elite training in sports and the arts. With small class sizes, students receive personalized support in both their academics and extracurriculars. It's impressive that the school partners with renowned organizations like the Ottawa Senators Hockey Program and Ottawa City Soccer. These partnerships reflect OSA's dedication to holistic student development, and allow students to pursue their diverse passions during school hours. The school would probably not suit families looking for a purely academic environment, because OSA gives equal priority to the students’ passions in sports and the arts. Families who join OSA appreciate the school for its commitment to individualized attention and for having a supportive community.
We questioned the school adminstration
1. Who are you, as a school?
"OSA Private School, located in the Bell Sensplex in Kanata, Ontario, offers a truly distinctive educational experience for students passionate about sports and the arts. With small class sizes, personalized support, and a robust academic curriculum, we prioritize academic excellence and athletic and artistic skills development. Our students receive expert guidance from renowned community leaders in hockey, soccer, baseball, football, dance, music, and strength and conditioning—all seamlessly integrated into their timetable."
Small class sizes with personalized academic support.
Elite hockey training with Ottawa Senators Hockey Program.
Soccer development through Ottawa City Soccer partnership.
Comprehensive strength training by Fitquest for all athletes.
Dance program led by Capital City Dance professionals.
Middle school music and voice lessons with Kanata School of Music.
Fun trips: Montreal, Canada’s Wonderland, ski club and more.
Robotics, Scientists in School, Coding and digital artist workshops.
Ottawa Private School sports league participation.
Balanced academics, athletics and arts for holistic student development.
2. What do you do differently and uniquely well?
"OSA Private School offers a unique blend of academic excellence and elite sports and arts training, all within the daily schedule. Our partnerships with top-tier...(more)
"OSA Private School offers a unique blend of academic excellence and elite sports and arts training, all within the daily schedule. Our partnerships with top-tier organizations—such as the Ottawa Senators Hockey Program, Ottawa City Soccer, Capital City Dance, and Kanata School of Music—allow students to pursue their passions without sacrificing academics. With small class sizes, students receive personalized attention, ensuring academic and extracurricular growth.
Our integrated approach truly sets OSA apart: students can train in their sport or art during school hours while maintaining a rigorous academic program. This balance fosters discipline, time management, and a deep commitment to personal growth. Additionally, we offer enriching extracurriculars such as Robotics, field trips, and leadership-building activities.
The result is a well-rounded student who excels academically, physically, and creatively, emerging confident, disciplined, and ready to succeed in any future endeavor."
3. What tradeoffs has your school made to serve families in this way?
"At OSA Private School, our commitment to personalized learning and elite sports and arts training sets us apart, and we've made intentional choices to ensure our students receive...(more)
"At OSA Private School, our commitment to personalized learning and elite sports and arts training sets us apart, and we've made intentional choices to ensure our students receive the best possible experience. One key decision we’ve embraced is prioritizing small class sizes and keeping our population manageable. This allows us to provide individualized attention, ensuring that each student receives tailored support in both their academic and extracurricular pursuits. While we may not have a large student population, our students benefit from a focused, high-quality education that maximizes their potential.
Our unique model also integrates high-level sports and arts training into the school day, ensuring students can pursue their passions without compromising their academics. While this structured approach requires discipline and time management, it rewards students with a well-rounded experience, balancing their athletic and artistic growth with academic excellence."
4. What key junctures in your school's history have most shaped its present?
"OSA Private School’s journey began with a vision to open in 2020, but the pandemic caused an unexpected delay. While this was initially a setback, it became a valuable period of...(more)
"OSA Private School’s journey began with a vision to open in 2020, but the pandemic caused an unexpected delay. While this was initially a setback, it became a valuable period of growth. The additional time allowed us to meticulously refine every aspect of our school, from our academic approach to our partnerships with community leaders in sports and the arts. Collaborating with these experts, who collectively bring over 25+ years of experience in education, music and sports development, enabled us to build a solid foundation.
This turning point shaped our school’s identity as one that is not only prepared but deeply thoughtful in its execution. The pandemic gave us the opportunity to fine-tune our unique integration of academics and extracurricular excellence. This milestone laid the groundwork for the strong partnerships and personalized education that define OSA today, ensuring we deliver a high-quality, well-rounded experience for every student."
5. What type of student is a good fit for your school?
"OSA Private School is an ideal fit for students who are passionate about sports or the arts and are driven to excel in both their academic and extracurricular pursuits. Our...(more)
"OSA Private School is an ideal fit for students who are passionate about sports or the arts and are driven to excel in both their academic and extracurricular pursuits. Our students thrive in a focused, structured environment where discipline, time management, and dedication are key to balancing elite-level training with academic success. They are curious, motivated learners who embrace personalized attention and support to reach their full potential.
Families who value a holistic approach to education—one that combines academic excellence with high-performance training in sports or the arts—will find OSA the perfect match. Parents who seek a close-knit community where their child is seen as an individual and who appreciate a school that fosters intellectual growth and personal development will benefit most from our program. The OSA experience best suits those who value commitment, passion, and a balanced path to success."
6. Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing your school?
"OSA Private School may not be the best fit for families seeking a traditional, large-scale school with an extensive selection of electives or extracurriculars. Our focus on small...(more)
"OSA Private School may not be the best fit for families seeking a traditional, large-scale school with an extensive selection of electives or extracurriculars. Our focus on small class sizes, personalized learning, and integrated sports/arts training requires students to balance academics and their passions with discipline and commitment. Families looking for a more flexible or exploratory approach may find our structure too focused.
Additionally, if a family prioritizes purely academic learning without significant involvement in sports or the arts, our integrated curriculum may not align with their expectations. Families seeking a highly standardized model with a wide range of electives or those uninterested in intense sports or arts training might find our school’s focus doesn't meet their goals. We prioritize personalized attention and a balanced approach to academics and extracurriculars, which may not suit everyone’s needs."
7. To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?
"Families choose OSA Private School because we offer small class sizes, personalized attention, and the unique opportunity for students to pursue their passion for sports or the...(more)
"Families choose OSA Private School because we offer small class sizes, personalized attention, and the unique opportunity for students to pursue their passion for sports or the arts during the school day without compromising their academics. Many families are tired of large, traditional school environments where their child feels overlooked or disengaged. At OSA, students receive individualized support, which allows them to thrive academically while excelling in their chosen athletic or artistic field.
Parents also appreciate our integrated schedule, which balances high-level training with strong academics, fostering discipline and growth. For families whose children are passionate about sports or the arts—or those who have struggled in more conventional school settings—OSA offers a more tailored and supportive approach, creating an environment where students can fully engage and succeed. Our unique model provides the well-rounded experience many families are looking for."
8. How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?
"OSA Private School is seen as a dynamic and specialized institution that blends academic excellence with elite sports and arts training. In the public eye, our school is known for...(more)
"OSA Private School is seen as a dynamic and specialized institution that blends academic excellence with elite sports and arts training. In the public eye, our school is known for its small class sizes, personalized attention, and the unique opportunity for students to pursue their passions within the school day. People often associate OSA with high-level athletic and artistic development, integrated with strong academic support. We are recognized for fostering a well-rounded education that nurtures both academic growth and personal talents, making us a standout choice for families seeking balance."
9. What aspect of your school is underappreciated?
"One underappreciated aspect of OSA Private School is the level of personalized support students receive, both academically and personally. While families recognize our small class...(more)
"One underappreciated aspect of OSA Private School is the level of personalized support students receive, both academically and personally. While families recognize our small class sizes, they often underestimate the impact of individualized attention from teachers, coaches, and staff on their child’s development. This close-knit, supportive environment fosters not only academic success but also emotional and social growth. Families may not fully realize how much this tailored support contributes to their child's confidence, self-discipline, and overall well-being until they see the results firsthand."
10. What might families find surprising about your school?
"Families might be surprised by how seamlessly OSA Private School integrates high-level sports and arts training with rigorous academics. While they may expect a focus on either...(more)
"Families might be surprised by how seamlessly OSA Private School integrates high-level sports and arts training with rigorous academics. While they may expect a focus on either academics or athletics, they often discover how well-balanced and structured the program is, ensuring students thrive in both areas without being overwhelmed. Another surprise is the sense of community—students and families quickly feel connected and supported, thanks to our small, tight-knit environment. The level of personalized care and attention each student receives, both inside and outside the classroom, often exceeds expectations, leading to stronger academic and personal growth."
11. What improvements or changes has your school made recently?
"OSA Private School has recently introduced several key improvements to enhance our students' experience. We’ve expanded our partnerships with elite community organizations like...(more)
"OSA Private School has recently introduced several key improvements to enhance our students' experience. We’ve expanded our partnerships with elite community organizations like the Ottawa Senators Hockey Program, Ottawa City Soccer, and Capital City Dance, providing even more specialized training for our students. We also implemented Pre-Authorized Debit (PAD) for simplified payment processing, making financial planning easier for families. Additionally, we’ve updated our extracurricular offerings, including more field trips, Robotics, and team-building activities, to provide a well-rounded experience. These changes reflect our commitment to combining academic excellence with exceptional athletic and artistic opportunities, ensuring that students receive both personalized education and diverse growth experiences."
12. How will your school change in the next 5 years?
"In the next five years, OSA Private School plans to expand and enhance the student experience in line with our mission of providing balanced academic, athletic, and artistic...(more)
"In the next five years, OSA Private School plans to expand and enhance the student experience in line with our mission of providing balanced academic, athletic, and artistic development. We aim to introduce transportation services to better serve families and ensure accessibility. Additionally, we are actively seeking new partnerships with top community organizations to offer more sports development options, broadening opportunities for our students to pursue their passions.
We also envision offering a dormitory setting, expanding beyond Canada Homestay, to provide students with a more comprehensive residential experience. This will especially benefit our international and out-of-town students by fostering a stronger sense of community. Furthermore, we plan to develop prep school teams to enhance athletic competition and opportunities for student-athletes. These changes will further strengthen our commitment to offering an all-encompassing, student-focused education that supports both"