The Canadian capital is home to many historic buildings, with a significant number of them being schools and universities. These institutions were constructed as early as the 19th century, as education played a crucial role in the city’s development and prosperity. Among these historic schools in Ottawa was First Avenue Public School, located on O’Connor Street. More details on ottawa1.one.
History of Ottawa’s First Avenue Public School
The history of First Avenue Public School in Ottawa dates back to 1898. It was an elementary school governed by the Carleton-Ottawa School Board. First Avenue School was bilingual, making it extremely popular among Ottawa’s residents. Each year, the school enrolled around 500 students, who studied both French and English.
First Avenue Public School was part of a network of bilingual schools, similar to those established in other Canadian cities during the 19th century. By the 21st century, only three of these schools remained, one of them being in Ottawa. Another historic public school from the same period is located in Mutchmor. This group of school buildings is officially recognized as part of Canada’s heritage, as First Avenue School represents a classic example of 19th-century institutional architecture. The building was constructed entirely in the Romanesque style.
Over the years, First Avenue School continued to grow in popularity among both anglophone and francophone communities. By the early 20th century, the school was severely overcrowded, as parents actively sought to enroll their children in a bilingual learning environment. Due to this high demand, classroom space became insufficient. In 1907, the school board approved an expansion of the school, resulting in the addition of a third floor.
Threat of Closure and Demolition of First Avenue School
Throughout the 20th century, First Avenue Public School in Ottawa thrived, with more than 500 new students enrolling each year. However, in 1980, the Ottawa Board of Education issued an ultimatum stating that the school would be closed, and its building demolished, despite its continued popularity and rising enrollment numbers. The main reason cited for this decision was the deteriorating condition of the school building. By 1980, the school was nearly a century old and had not undergone any major renovations.
Parents of First Avenue students were outraged by the board’s decision and organized protests to oppose the closure. Their efforts succeeded in persuading the Ottawa government to keep the bilingual school open and allocate funds for a major renovation. In addition to the large-scale refurbishment of First Avenue School, a new library and gymnasium were built on its premises at the end of the 20th century.
First Avenue School’s Curriculum and Programs
One of the key features of First Avenue Public School in Ottawa, since its founding in 1898, was its bilingual education program. The school also operated an English-language kindergarten program. Additionally, during the winter season, students had access to an on-site skating rink.
By the early 21st century, the number of students at First Avenue Public School had significantly increased, surpassing 500. The bilingual school had a total of 40 teachers. For many years, First Avenue Public School was ranked among the top elementary schools in Ontario. However, by 2007, standardized testing results among Grade 3 and Grade 6 students revealed a decline in overall student performance. Consequently, First Avenue School was removed from the list of the province’s top-performing schools.