Keep Polaris Accessible for Every Child

A Unique School

Polaris is unique among schools in Ottawa for two reasons: First, it offers an educational experience that allows children to learn and thrive in a way they could not in a traditional school system. Polaris provides children with an opportunity to learn academic subjects through movement, a strong connection to the outdoors, a focus on creative expression, and an absence of screens. Secondly, Polaris welcomes families of all socioeconomic backgrounds, ensuring that our education is accessible to everyone who needs it. We deeply believe that no child should face barriers to access the type of education they need to succeed and grow, and unfortunately, not all children thrive in our traditional public school system, especially those with exceptionalities.

Our Need

Fulfilling our mandate to be open to all children has always been a challenge for Polaris, but the community is proud of having flourished as an inclusive school for over six years. We have wonderful teachers, a beautiful space, just recently renovated with a supportive landlord, and a growing community of families. But today we are at a critical juncture. A combination of challenges due to enrolment that is still recovering from the pandemic years, and an unexpected shortfall in fundraising efforts from major gifts means that the financial assistance model is at risk. It is an emergency for this school year, which the community needs to overcome so that other pieces can be put in place to create a long-term sustainable future for Polaris. We need your help!

We hope that you will consider making a donation to keep the doors open to all families who need the alternative education that Polaris offers.

To continue offering accessible tuition and maintain a commitment to welcoming all families, support from the broader community is needed. Together, we can keep Polaris a place where every child is embraced, no matter their background. With your help, we can surmount this challenge and safeguard the inclusive spirit that makes this school so special.

The Impact of Your Support

Nearly 50% of students rely on financial assistance, made possible through the school's accessible tuition model. The funds raised through this campaign will directly support these children, ensuring they can continue their education at Polaris. Your contribution will also open doors for new families, allowing their children to thrive in our supportive, holistic environment.

By giving today, you’re helping to preserve the vibrant diversity of Polaris that ensures all children—no matter their financial situation—can benefit from a place that nurtures their unique gifts, talents, and potential.

Below are some stories from families at Polaris highlighting why it is so special:

"Polaris has been such a wonderful and welcoming space for us as a family and I have so much to be grateful for. At the time we came to Polaris, we had been shaken by our exposure to racism and discrimination in the public school system. It didn't seem fair to a 5 year old child with still untouched innocence and optimism that we should damage that innocence in any way. At the same time, though, our financial resources were extremely limited.

Polaris' financially accessible model made it possible for us to enrol our child and gave us an alternative we would never have had otherwise. Over the years, I have loved the fact that my children got to keep their teacher year after year, building deep relationships over time. I appreciated the emphasis on being outside, being in nature, and on traditional crafts. I particularly appreciated the completely screen free school days."

Anonymous Parent

"Our experience at Polaris has been made by the staff working with our child. He has unique emotional needs and from the beginning it was clear that he would be seen and understood by the staff. This is a school where no child could be overlooked or misinterpreted. During parent-teacher conversations, we have been blown away by his teacher's observations, as it is evident how much she knows him and the amount of time she spends with him. We have had many interactions with childhood professionals: occupational therapy, social workers, therapists, paediatricians, etc. However, it is our son’s teacher that has helped us to understand his needs better. His teacher has been able to read his need for connection better than any other assessor we have sought out. We feel confident he is in an emotionally safe place for growth."

Anonymous Parent

More family stories, and the impact Polaris has can be found on our website;

https://www.polarisschool.ca/familystories.html

Our Plan for Sustainability

With your support for this school year Polaris will be putting a plan in place to ensure its future sustainability. An investment in outreach has been made to make sure families looking for an alternative and holistic approach to education in the Ottawa area know Polaris is here. Funds have also been secured to create a professional business plan to run the school efficiently and to attract outside investments. Finally, the school is focusing on generating fundraising income through new initiatives that just need a bit of time to mature.

Note that all donations are eligible for an income tax donation receipt. Receipts are issued through the Pay Pal Giving Fund on behalf of Polaris School and Centre (10787671 Canada Association).