<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAt the beginning of the 20th century, education became a heated political issue, primarily due to language disputes. English-speaking Catholics and Protestants clashed with French-speaking Catholics, leading to ongoing tensions. By 1885, English was made a mandatory subject, and within five years, it became the language of instruction in schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1959, the government formed a commission led by Alphonse-Marie Parent to investigate the state of education. The Parent Report called for major reforms, including reducing the role of the Church in schools, establishing official oversight of education, and creating a dedicated Department of Education, which paved the way for further improvements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>The First Schools in Ontario<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nOne of Ontario\u2019s first schools, St. John’s Common School, was established in 1804. It was the first non-denominational free school in Upper Canada and remained operational until 1844. Later, a new school was built nearby, but the original building continued to serve as an educational facility. St. John’s is now recognized as the oldest public school in Ontario.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In December 1895, Mutchmor Street Public School was founded. It was the first elementary school in Ottawa, named after John Mutchmor, a veteran of the War of 1812. The school has a remarkable history and remains one of Ottawa\u2019s oldest schools. The building is designated as a heritage property. Initially, it served students from kindergarten to grade six and became a French immersion centre. In the 1990s, there were plans to close the school, but the local community\u2019s efforts ensured its survival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another historic school that continues to operate is First Avenue Public School, built in 1898. The building, a heritage site, was designed in the Richardsonian Romanesque style, with a third floor added in 1907. In 1980, the Ottawa Board of Education planned to close and demolish the school, but parental protests successfully prevented this from happening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>The Mohawk Institute Residential School in Ontario<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe Mohawk Institute was built in 1831 as a residential school for Indigenous children in Brantford, Ontario. The school operated until 1970, leaving a legacy of trauma for Indigenous communities. Children from the Six Nations were forcibly taken from their families and placed in the school to undergo cultural assimilation, with the goal of eradicating their language and heritage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After closing in 1970, the building was repurposed in 1972 as the Woodland Cultural Centre, dedicated to preserving and promoting First Nations culture and history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>The History of Gymnasiums in Ottawa<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nGymnasiums, which existed alongside traditional schools, were a form of secondary education that emphasized classical subjects such as Greek and Latin, combined with advanced English instruction. Historical records indicate that female students were more likely to attend gymnasiums, despite the fact that these institutions were initially intended for boys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1853, the government passed the Gymnasium Act, which established a standardized curriculum. Gymnasiums were considered preparatory schools for university, setting them apart from regular public schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Public schools were state-funded, whereas tuition fees for gymnasiums were higher. However, students from all social classes \u2013 lower, middle, and upper \u2013 attended gymnasiums, which offered higher academic status and better career prospects than traditional schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Ottawa\u2019s Education System<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe city is home to two major public universities:<\/p>\n\n\n\n