About Us

Students

At Merivale, we are very proud of our students and their many achievements:

• 68% of our 2021 graduates were Ontario Scholars (over 80% average)
• 27% of our 2021 graduates were OCDSB Silver Medal Award winners (over 90% avg.)
• Over 100 Nominations for CAPPIES (Fine Arts/Critics Program) Awards and 43 awards over the past 9 years
• Outstanding student achievement in Science contests
• Grade 12 Extended Immersion students participated in the French for the Future essay writing contest
• Consistently high achievement in OSSLT (last year written, 2019)
• Athletic teams compete at all levels, with teams at OFSAA each year
• Junior and senior concert bands captured silver medals at Music Fest

Promoting student leadership is an integral part of our vision. Students’ Council, Athletic Council, Music Council, and Club Summit are examples of student-led organizations that enhance the quality of life at Merivale. Merivale students in groups, such as Leadership Class, Students’ Council, and Relay for Life, participate in a number of fundraising activities donating thousands of dollars, food and clothing items to charities including: the United Way, the CHEO Telethon, Toy Mountain, Thanksgiving Canned Food Drive, Ottawa Hospital Foundation, Ottawa Food Bank, YMCA-YWCA, Canadian Cancer Society, Harmony House, Juvenile Diabetes and Ryan’s Well Foundation.

Staff

The staff at Merivale High School takes great pride in the positive relationship we enjoy with our students. Staff members enjoy volunteering time to work with students outside the classroom and we are very active as coaches and supervisors of our numerous teams and clubs.

In addition to our regular teachers, we also have:

• A Spiritual Care Worker
• University of Ottawa and Queen’s University Associate Teachers
• Algonquin College Internship Partner
• A Psychologist, Social Worker and Behaviour Support Specialist
• Guidance and Special Education Specialists
• A Rideauwood Counsellor
• Classroom tutors and extensive extra-help sessions

Parents/Guardians and Community

Our School Council provides a forum for parents and the broader community to share their ideas and hopes for our students. We work collaboratively to keep parents and our community informed about educational issues and school activities. Merivale’s community partners include: Carleton University, and Algonquin College and many employers and partner agencies. We enjoy close relationships with our feeder schools, whereby their students attend our annual musical, concerts, Art Show and athletic days.

Our School Council consists of a friendly group of parents, supported by staff and students of MHS, committed to enhancing our children's intermediate & secondary school experience. 

Merivale is a school community that thrives on the contributions of parents and volunteers. Through our partnership with the Ottawa Network for Education (ONFE), we are able to attract a talented and committed group of volunteers. Our volunteers have contributed countless hours of support annually in diverse capacities such as coaching, tutoring, and library support. 

We are surrounded by a supportive business community. A large number of local businesses regularly contribute prizes to support school activities. Local grocery stores and restaurants provide ongoing support for student and staff initiatives.

Merivale HS delivers a comprehensive program with extensive course offerings in all subject areas and across all pathways. We offer the following academic programs:

• Inclusive Learning Support and Student Success Initiatives
• Rigorous academic programs for all pathways (French Immersion, Workplace, College, and University)
• Communication and Design Specialist High Skills Major program
• Award winning Music program 
• Innovative Technical programs
• Cooperative Education offering Apprenticeship (OYAP) and Dual Credit programs through Algonquin College
• Challenging Outdoor Education and Personal Fitness Programs
• Dynamic Fine Arts Program
• French Immersion Programs
• In 2019, authorized as an IBO World School providing the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

Clubs and Activities

Merivale students have access to an exceptional range of co-curricular activities:

Clubs

Merivale High School is fortunate to have many staff advisors to support student interests and clubs. Information on available clubs/extra-curricular activities is available to students through our Learning Commons / Library Google Classroom and outside of Student Services.  An overview, in the form of a general list, is posted to the school website each September for families to see available clubs for each academic year. 

Athletics

Merivale High School offers three seasons of athletics for students in a range of sports. Please visit our Athletics page to see which teams are offered for this academic year.

Our school offers:

• Music facilities with individual practice rooms
• Drama studio, two arts studios
• Fully serviced Learning Commons with lendable technology, Resource Centre and printer access
• Learning Support Centre
• Two full double gymnasiums, fully equipped exercise/weight room, 2 extensive playing fields and track, a neighbouring hockey arena
• Renewed Science labs, computer labs, and a nutrition lab
• State-of-the-art facilities for Transportation, Construction, Communication and Design Programs

Our multicultural students find a safe, stimulating environment where an atmosphere of mutual respect for all cultures in Canada is cultivated. We strive to ensure that our school is a welcoming and safe place for students of all identities to feel valued and respected as they engage, learn, grow, explore, and discover.

A strong commitment to Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility is embedded throughout the OCDSB's 2023-2027 Strategic Plan and captured within each area of focus: learning, well-being, and social responsibility. 

For more information, please visit the OCDSB’s Equity and Diversity website.