About Bell High School
Contents: Admission Information, Staff, School Hours, Bus Information
Bell High School, home to the Bell Bruins, is located in the Bells Corners sector of Ottawa, Ontario. Our motto is Vitam Impendere Vero, which means "Seek truth in life". In the 2010-2011 school year, Bell High School has an enrollment of about 1040 students, with 75 teachers, administrators and support staff.
Bell High School was constructed in 1962 by the Carleton Board of Education, and is now part of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB). We are named after Richard (Dick) Bell, a local politician.
Academically, we offer courses in both the Academic and Applied streams. We are also home to a variety of other programs offered by the OCDSB. These include French Immersion, English as a Second Language (ESL) and the Gifted Program. We also offer a variety of AP courses held based on student interest, including Calculus, Physics B, Macroeconomics, English, French and Studio Art.
Many of our students attend the Academic Awards Evening held every year to students who have attained high level of achievement. Our community living program also helps classes of special needs students through high school.
In athletics, we offer a diverse set of sports teams, including track and field, cross country running, field hockey, soccer, volleyball, rugby, ice hockey, skiing (nordic and downhill), golf, badminton, wrestling, baseball, touch football and basketball. Our teams frequently place well in city and provincial tournaments, including many OFSSA golds.
We also have a variety of student-run committees and events. Students' Council hosts a variety of events, including various school dances, spirit days, Leadership Camp and Battle of the Grades. We also have a variety of clubs doing everything from publishing the yearbook to organizing the International Banquet.
Some of our alumni include John Manley, Steve Yzerman, John Baird, Allison Korn, and Ryan North.
Admission Information
The school boundary for Bell High School includes Bells Corners, Holly Acres and most of western section of the Greenbelt in our regular and French Immersion programs. View Map (pdf). Our gifted program covers the above area plus most of Western Ottawa. For new grade 9 students, we have a program, known as LINK, to familiarise new students with high school and to make friends at the same time. More information »
Cross-Boundary Transfers
If you currently live in or are planning to move to Ottawa, are outside the designated school boundaries for Bell, but you or your child still want to come to Bell, visit the OCDSB website for more information on Student Transfers. Student Transfers in the OCDSB are not on a first-come first-serve basis, rather they are based on the needs of the child and are administered on a case-by-case basis. In order to transfer away from the home school, students need to meet any of the following criteria: a) a particular learning need that can't be met at the home school; b) a course package (min. 3 years) that is available here but not at the home school that will be taken; or c) any exceptional personal circumstances. This policy replaced the former first-come first-serve policy in effect prior to the 2010-2011 school year.
Please consult the OCDSB's page for more information on Student Transfers, including timeframes and appeal policies. We apologize but the school board is unable to process requests that do not meet the transfer criteria.
Moving to Ottawa?
If you are planning to move to Ottawa, and need to find an appropriate school for your child(ren), you will find the process for doing this in the Moving to Ottawa? page at the school board's website. Whether or not your child will attend Bell High School depends on the needs of the child and whether or not you live in the appropriate boundary. Transfers can be processed in the same process as described above.
For International Students
Do you live outside of Canada but wish to study at Bell High School? We're part of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, the leading public K-12 board in the City of Ottawa. Our school has a diverse population, with many students from the Middle East, East Asia, Eastern Europe, and many other regions around the world. We also have an ESL program for English language learners.
The board organizes international admissions through their Ottawa International Student Program. During the application process, you'll have the opportunity to choose Bell High School as your desired school. Learn about the Ottawa International Student Program at Ottawa International Student Program website.
Staff
Principal: Bruce Whitehead
Vice-Principal: Krista McNamara
Vice-Principal: Darryl Kicul
Office Administrator: Catherine Sequin
Chief Custodian: George Banton
All Staff Members »
School Hours
Day 1:
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Day 2:
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Day 1s and Day 2s are determined by whether the date is an odd or even number (odd = Day 1, even = Day 2). The school is generally open until mid-evenings and on some weekends. The main office is generally closed by 4:00.
Bus Information
Those students living eligible for Yellow School Bus transportation (primarily in those areas not serviced by OC Transpo) can view the 2009-2010 bus schedules at the Ottawa Student Transportation Authority website, which is responsible for all student transportation in the public and Catholic school boards. View schedule »
Several OC Transpo Bus routes serve Bell before and after school, as well as during the day. The routes serving Bell are 93, 97, 118, 152, 661, 665, 669, 681. For more information, please go to OC Transpo's website or view their pdf map.