Petawawa Schools Guide

Education in Petawawa

If you are moving to Petawawa with school-age children -- whether on a military posting or a civilian relocation -- one of the first questions on your mind will be about schools. The good news is that the area is well served by multiple school boards offering English, French, and bilingual education from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12, with post-secondary options nearby as well.

Two English-language school boards operate in the Petawawa and Renfrew County area. The Renfrew County District School Board (RCDSB) runs the public schools, while the Renfrew County Catholic District School Board (RCCDSB) oversees the Catholic system. Both boards serve the full range from elementary through secondary, and both are experienced in welcoming military families who arrive mid-year or on short notice.

French-language education is available through the Conseil des ecoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario (CEPEO) for French public schools and the Conseil des ecoles catholiques du Centre-Est (CECCE) for French Catholic schools. French immersion programming is also offered within the English public system at specific schools, giving families a range of options for bilingual education.

Class sizes in Petawawa-area schools tend to be manageable compared to larger urban centres. Teachers and administrators are familiar with the transient nature of a military community, and most schools have well-established processes for integrating new students throughout the school year. The area may not have the sheer number of choices you would find in Ottawa or Toronto, but the schools here are solid, community-oriented, and genuinely committed to supporting every student who walks through the door.

Elementary Schools

Petawawa has several elementary schools within town limits, and additional options are available in nearby Pembroke. The school your child attends will depend on your address, the school board you choose, and whether you are looking for English, French immersion, or Catholic education. Here are the primary options families should know about.

Herman Street Public School

Herman Street Public School is an RCDSB elementary school located in the heart of Petawawa, serving students from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 6. It is one of the most established schools in town and draws students from the residential neighbourhoods along and around Petawawa Boulevard. Herman Street has a strong community feel, with an active parent council and regular school events that bring families together. The school offers a standard Ontario curriculum with a focus on literacy and numeracy, and its smaller size means teachers tend to know every student by name. For families living off base in central Petawawa, Herman Street is often the default neighbourhood school.

Valour School (JK-12)

Valour School is a unique JK-12 school operated by the RCDSB and located on the grounds of CFB Petawawa. Its position on base makes it especially convenient for families living in the PMQs (Private Married Quarters) at Gruhn Village and Dundonald Village. Valour serves students across the full range from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12, which means military children can potentially attend the same school from their earliest years right through graduation -- a rare point of stability for families who move frequently. The school has a deep understanding of military life and the challenges that come with deployment, separation, and mid-year moves. Staff are experienced at welcoming new students and helping them settle in quickly.

Champlain Discovery Public School

Champlain Discovery Public School is an RCDSB school in Pembroke that offers French immersion programming alongside the English stream. For Petawawa families who want their children educated in a bilingual environment, Champlain Discovery is one of the most accessible options. The school serves students from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 8 and has built a strong reputation for its immersion program, which begins in the early grades and develops French fluency progressively. Bus transportation is available from Petawawa, making the daily commute to Pembroke manageable for families. If your child was enrolled in French immersion at a previous posting, Champlain Discovery can typically accommodate the transition with minimal disruption.

Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School

Our Lady of Sorrows is the RCCDSB elementary school serving Petawawa, offering Catholic education from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 8. The school integrates faith-based learning with the Ontario curriculum and serves families who prefer a Catholic educational environment. Our Lady of Sorrows has an engaged parent community and participates in parish life at the local Catholic church. Like the public schools, it is accustomed to welcoming military families and handles mid-year enrolments smoothly. The school offers a nurturing environment with a strong emphasis on community values and character education.

Enrollment Tips

For all elementary schools, enrollment is generally straightforward. You will need proof of address, your child's birth certificate or equivalent identification, immunization records, and any previous school records or Ontario Student Records (OSR) from their former school. If you are arriving on a military posting, contact the school before you arrive -- front office staff are accustomed to handling enrollments by phone and email and can have everything ready for your child's first day. For boundary questions or to confirm which school serves your address, contact the RCDSB or RCCDSB directly.

Secondary Schools

One important fact for families to understand: there is no traditional high school located within the Town of Petawawa proper. Valour School on base does serve students through Grade 12, but for families who prefer a larger secondary school environment, students bus to Pembroke for high school. The commute is approximately 15 to 20 minutes by school bus, and the transportation is well organized through the Renfrew County Joint Transportation Consortium.

Fellowes High School

Fellowes High School is the RCDSB public secondary school in Pembroke serving students from Grade 7 through Grade 12. It is the largest public high school in the area and the one most Petawawa students attend if they are not at Valour. Fellowes offers a comprehensive range of academic, applied, and locally developed courses, along with specialist programs in the arts, technology, and cooperative education. The school has a well-rounded extracurricular program including athletics, clubs, student government, and performing arts. Its size means students have access to a broader selection of courses and electives than smaller schools can offer, which matters as students move into the senior grades and begin planning for post-secondary education.

Bishop Smith Catholic High School

Bishop Smith Catholic High School is the RCCDSB secondary school in Pembroke, serving Catholic students from Grade 7 through Grade 12. Bishop Smith combines a strong academic program with Catholic faith formation and community service requirements. The school offers a full range of courses at all levels, along with specialist high skills major programs and cooperative education placements. Bishop Smith has a reputation for a supportive, close-knit school culture, and its athletics and arts programs are competitive at the regional level. For Catholic families in Petawawa, Bishop Smith is the natural continuation from Our Lady of Sorrows elementary.

Ecole secondaire publique Jeanne-Lajoie

Ecole secondaire publique Jeanne-Lajoie in Pembroke serves francophone students in the French public system, operated by the Conseil des ecoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario (CEPEO). Jeanne-Lajoie provides a complete French-language secondary education, and for families where French is the first language -- including many military families from Quebec postings -- it offers academic continuity in a francophone environment. The school is smaller than Fellowes or Bishop Smith, which creates a tight-knit community where students receive considerable individual attention from staff.

Regardless of which secondary school your child attends, the bus ride from Petawawa to Pembroke is a fact of life. Students adapt quickly, and many find the bus ride is a social time with friends. If you are weighing housing decisions and secondary school access matters to you, this is worth factoring into where you choose to live. For more on housing considerations, see our Real Estate guide.

French Language Education

Canada's bilingual character is reflected in the school options available to Petawawa families, and with a significant military population that rotates through postings in Quebec and other francophone areas, demand for French-language education is consistent.

French Immersion

French immersion is available within the English public system through the RCDSB. Champlain Discovery Public School in Pembroke is the primary French immersion school for the area, offering early immersion starting in Junior Kindergarten. In early immersion, instruction begins predominantly in French, with English gradually introduced in later grades. The goal is functional bilingualism -- students who can read, write, and communicate confidently in both official languages by the time they finish Grade 8.

For secondary immersion, students continuing from Champlain Discovery can pursue French immersion courses at Fellowes High School, which offers immersion-stream courses that allow students to earn a French immersion certificate on their Ontario Secondary School Diploma. This continuity from elementary through secondary means a Petawawa student can complete their entire public school education with a strong bilingual foundation.

French First-Language Schools

For families where French is the primary language of the home, the Conseil des ecoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario (CEPEO) operates French-language schools in the region. At the elementary level, Ecole elementaire publique Jeanne-Sauve serves francophone families, while Ecole secondaire publique Jeanne-Lajoie in Pembroke provides the secondary pathway. These schools deliver the full Ontario curriculum in French, with English taught as a subject rather than as a language of instruction.

The Conseil des ecoles catholiques du Centre-Est (CECCE) also serves the region for French Catholic education, though families should confirm current availability and transportation options, as the closest CECCE schools may require a longer commute depending on your address.

For military families transferring from a francophone school system in Quebec or another province, the French-language school boards in Ontario work to ensure academic continuity. Contact the receiving school before your move to discuss course equivalencies and placement -- particularly at the secondary level, where credit transfers require careful attention to ensure students stay on track for graduation.

Post-Secondary Options

While Petawawa is not a university town, post-secondary education is more accessible than you might expect, thanks to a local college campus, proximity to Ottawa, and the growing availability of online learning.

Algonquin College -- Pembroke Campus

Algonquin College's Pembroke campus, located about 20 minutes from Petawawa, offers a range of diploma and certificate programs in areas such as business, health sciences, environmental technology, and skilled trades. The Pembroke campus is smaller and more personalized than the main Ottawa campus, which can be an advantage for students who prefer a less overwhelming environment. The campus has strong ties to the local community and offers programs that align with regional employment opportunities, including outdoor adventure and environmental technician programs that take advantage of the Ottawa Valley setting.

Ottawa Universities and Colleges

Ottawa is approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes from Petawawa, and its post-secondary institutions include the University of Ottawa, Carleton University, Algonquin College's main campus, and La Cite collegiale (French-language college). For students heading to Ottawa for post-secondary, the distance means they will likely need to live in Ottawa during the academic year, but the proximity allows for easy weekend visits home. Some families with older teens factor this into their housing and posting decisions.

Online and Distance Learning

The expansion of online post-secondary education has been a significant benefit for people in communities like Petawawa. Military spouses pursuing degrees or upgrading credentials can study through institutions across the country without relocating. Athabasca University, the University of Ottawa's online programs, and Algonquin College's online offerings are all commonly used by Petawawa residents. The MFRC on base also provides information on education funding and bursaries available specifically to military family members.

Schools and Military Families

Military families make up a significant portion of the student population in Petawawa-area schools, and this is a community that understands the unique challenges military children face. Frequent moves, mid-year school changes, parental deployments, and the emotional weight of military life are not abstract concepts here -- they are the daily reality for many students and their teachers.

School Transfers and Mid-Year Enrollment

If you are arriving on a posting outside the normal September start, your child will not be the only new face. Petawawa schools are accustomed to welcoming students throughout the year, and the process is designed to be as smooth as possible. Start by contacting the school directly -- give them as much advance notice as you can, even if you are still at your previous posting. Provide your child's Ontario Student Record (OSR) or equivalent provincial records, and discuss any academic accommodations, Individual Education Plans (IEPs), or gifted and special education needs your child may have.

Teachers in Petawawa schools are generally skilled at integrating new students. Many have spent their entire careers working with military children and understand the social dynamics of being the new kid. Schools often assign a buddy or peer mentor to help new students navigate their first weeks, and guidance counsellors are available to support the transition.

Support for Military Children

The emotional side of military life affects children in ways that are not always immediately visible. Deployments, prolonged training absences, and the anticipation of the next posting can create anxiety and behavioural changes that show up in the classroom. Schools in the Petawawa area are attuned to these patterns and work with families and the Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) to provide support. The MFRC offers children's and youth programs specifically designed for military kids, including deployment support groups, social skills programming, and activities that help children process the unique aspects of military family life.

The MFRC also serves as a bridge between families and schools, advocating for students who need additional support and connecting parents with resources. If your child is struggling with a transition, do not hesitate to reach out to both the school and the MFRC -- they work together regularly and can coordinate support effectively.

For a complete picture of the support services available to military families in the area, including the MFRC's full range of programming, see our CFB Petawawa Military Guide.

After-School Activities

Life outside the classroom matters just as much as what happens inside it, and Petawawa offers a solid range of after-school and weekend activities for children and teens. Sports, arts, and recreation programs are available through the Town of Petawawa, the base's Personnel Support Programs (PSP), and a variety of local organizations and businesses.

Sports and Recreation

Minor hockey is a major part of life in the Ottawa Valley, and the Petawawa Minor Hockey Association runs programs from initiation through midget levels at the Petawawa Civic Centre. Soccer, baseball, and basketball leagues operate in spring and summer. Swimming lessons are available through the Normandy Aquatic Centre on base, and the Town of Petawawa runs seasonal programs including skating, skiing, and outdoor education.

For families looking for activities that build confidence, discipline, and physical fitness beyond traditional team sports, martial arts programs are a popular option in the area.

Arts and Enrichment

The Petawawa Public Library runs children's programs throughout the school year, including reading clubs, STEM activities, and creative workshops. Music lessons, dance classes, and art programs are available through private instructors and studios in the Petawawa-Pembroke area. Scouts Canada and Girl Guides of Canada both have active groups locally, offering outdoor skills, leadership development, and community service opportunities. The base also runs cadet programs -- Air Cadets, Army Cadets, and Sea Cadets -- that are open to youth aged 12 and up and provide structured activities, summer camps, and potential scholarship opportunities.

Staying Active Year-Round

Keeping kids active through the long Ottawa Valley winter takes some planning, but the resources are there. Indoor swimming at the Normandy pool, arena programs, and fitness classes keep families moving when the temperature drops. Outdoor winter activities including skating, tobogganing, and cross-country skiing are all accessible locally. In warmer months, the outdoor options expand dramatically -- the trails, beaches, and waterways around Petawawa provide endless opportunities for active families. Physiotherapy and sports injury support is available locally to keep young athletes healthy and performing their best.

For a full listing of recreational opportunities in the area, check our Community Guide and our events page for seasonal programming and registration dates.

Childcare and Early Learning

Finding reliable childcare is one of the most pressing concerns for families with young children, and it is an especially urgent issue for military families where both parents may work or where one parent is deployed. Petawawa has several childcare options, though wait lists are common and early planning is strongly recommended.

Licensed Daycare Centres

Several licensed daycare centres operate in the Petawawa area, serving children from infancy through school age. These centres are licensed by the Ontario Ministry of Education and meet provincial standards for staff-to-child ratios, programming, and safety. The Petawawa Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) operates childcare services on base, which are particularly popular with military families due to their location and their understanding of the unpredictable schedules military life demands. Spaces fill quickly, so get your child's name on the wait list as soon as you know you are coming to Petawawa -- even before your posting date if possible.

Off-base licensed daycare options are available in both Petawawa and Pembroke. The County of Renfrew maintains a database of licensed childcare providers, and the Ontario government's Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) program has reduced fees at participating centres, making licensed care more affordable for many families. Check with individual centres about their participation in the program and current fee structures.

EarlyON Child and Family Centres

EarlyON Child and Family Centres (formerly Ontario Early Years Centres) offer free drop-in programs for parents and caregivers with children from birth to age six. These centres provide play-based learning activities, parenting workshops, and connections to community resources. The EarlyON centre in the Petawawa area is a valuable resource for families new to the community -- it is a place to meet other parents, access early childhood development support, and get your child socializing with peers before they start school.

Before- and After-School Programs

For school-age children, before- and after-school programs are available at several locations in the area. These programs provide supervised care during the gap between school hours and parents' work schedules. Some are operated by the daycares themselves, while others run out of school facilities. Availability varies by school and provider, so inquire early -- especially for the before-school slots, which tend to be in highest demand.

Home-Based Childcare

Licensed home-based childcare is another option, operating through a licensed home child care agency. In these arrangements, a provider cares for a small number of children in their own home under the supervision and support of the licensing agency. Home-based care can offer more flexibility and a quieter environment than a larger centre, and some families prefer it for infants and toddlers. The County of Renfrew can provide information on licensed home child care agencies operating in the area.

For families navigating the childcare question alongside a new posting, the MFRC is your best first point of contact. Their staff can walk you through the local options, help you understand wait times, and connect you with emergency or short-term childcare if you need coverage while your longer-term arrangements fall into place. For more on family support services, see our Local Services Guide and our Living in Petawawa guide.